my find... what is it?

[clockstopper]

 

[Brianpa]

Hello
That is a slug out of a line-a-type machine they used them to print with.My Grandfather was a printer for 50+ years and we had them things all over the place.They are made of a lead alloy to make them fairly hard but soft enough to touch up the lettering by hand if needed.
Hope that helps
HH'ing

 

[clockstopper]

thanks very much for the reply. After seeing your post, and trying to search for it on the net, low-and-behold saw a picture of a guy holding one. mine says "bound train." (without the ") any idea of to how old it might be, or when they were used?

 

[Brianpa]

I'm not sure of age because they were in use for a long time untill computers took over but some of the little family shops still use them.I think mainly for flyers and small hand outs.It was alot of work to make up hundreds of those slugs with the words on and proof each one then set them in the machine in the rite order and then proof them again.And the best part is the words are all backwards.
HH'ing

 

[clockstopper]

Thanks. This one was about a few inches down in my back yard. i wonder the odds of me finding another. would this be the area to post what i find, or should i use a different section of the forum?

 

[Brianpa]

I think this is as good a spot as any.
HH'ing