What is this?

[PansPurse]

I keep thinking of some kind of catalytic converter when I look at them, except the shape wouldn't be very effective and platinum and palladium are normally used

[augur]

These crude welded on handles (as if for leather straps) should exclude it from being a precision machine part.

Maybe its more to transfer the silver onto an axle or shaft to make use of its conducting properties (electrical/thermal). In which part of railroads did your grandfather work? 

[Goldhooked]

Try posting it somewhere like this - https://www.reddit.com/r/Whatisthis/

Someone might be able to ID it.

[Kman]

8 hours ago, Goldhooked said:

Try posting it somewhere like this - https://www.reddit.com/r/Whatisthis/

Someone might be able to ID it.

You're too slow

No answers beyond what was said here though so didn't bother reporting back 

https://www.reddit.com/r/Whatisthis/comments/7k7zy8/anyone_got_any_idea_what_this_is_please/

 

[JohnA]

Send them to @BackyardBullion ...I bet he can make some nice stuff for you out of them and get them assayed after.

[sovereignsteve]

Looks like some kind of large bearing shells. Would fit with locomotive stock. Soft white metal is often used on the bearing surface.

[Tpbullion]

I would hazard a guess at possibly some sort of overhead wire conductor for trains or trams. The back seems to be scorched or something. And silver is an awesome conductor! Obviously just a guess though, I haven't a clue ?

[MickB]

I've been told by a work colleauge who's from Zimbabwe that these are wagon shell bearings as he used to make these when he lived there. The hole is for the oil to pass through.

 

[PansPurse]

So, silver is useful as a thermal or electrical conductor, but the issue here is that it's not clear what it's conducting from or to. There's no hint of electrical connection, so thermal conductivity makes more sense, perhaps as a radiator/heatsink?

The catalytic converter idea (ok I'm the only one that thought that) makes no sense because the shape is very poorly optimised for gas transfer