My elderly neighbors' father was a pattern maker in birmingham Alabama up until he died 50+ years ago; he did a lot of hobby casting. She kindly gave me several large ingots that I can't quite identify but can make guesses. Any opinions/guesses are appreciated. This yellow/gold ingot has a large B cast into the top and a 9D stamped into the bottom left. I assume that it's brass or bronze. When I google B and 9D the closest I get is an aluminium bronze alloy. This has ALCOA then the symbol of what looks (to me) like a shield. Judging by it's appearance and how light it is, it's clearly cast aluminium, however I am unsure of the alloy. Perhaps that is unimportant. This is heavy for it's size and has no markings (top or bottom) it's harder than pure lead. Babbitt? Solder? There are 3 halves, 2 coarse textured, one smooth, all some form of iron. I believe this is pig iron, simply because it looks like an ingot of pig iron. Otherwise, perhaps cast iron. I was told he had a cupola at one point in time, it's possible he casts these himself. I can make good enough guesses but I thought it would be prudent to see if any of you could tell, just by the pictures and my shabby description. They are all old and heavy (with the exception of the aluminium, that is -not heavy). Thanks! -Alex
none of those markings have any significance (alcoa is a manufacture) , and other then judging by basic color not alot we can tell you. the middle two ingots, you can learn a little bit by some simple tests, vinegar test ect. V/r HT1
