odd one

[skylab]

Labeled "The Richmond Foundry" under lid, some other writing but can't read it.
Someone told me this was a ashtray.  Well it was used as a ashtray.
Heavy and made of cast iron.

[Aunt Phil]

Does it screw onto a 2" pipe?

[skylab]

don't see any threads or holes on the bottom.

[Branson]

don't see any threads or holes on the bottom.

But I see a stamped metal hand for holding cigarettes.  I think ashtray, advertising ashtray, is what it is.

[Aunt Phil]

Looks like a underground tank fill cap.  Might be an advertising item salesmen passed out to potential customers like oil dealers or supply houses.

[rusty]

Richmond foundry (VA) was incorporeted in 1902, but starts back in the 1890's, starting out as a lead casting foundry, and going into, and exiting the cast (printing) type business.

by 1915:
"The Richmond Foundry & Machine Co. handles small machine parts, gas and water fixtures and connections, gears and other castings for ice-cream freezers, washing machines, etc"

So, Aunt Phil is probably right ....

[crankshaftdan II]

Somewhat resembles a old water metercover-used to conceal the gallons used meter-the whole assy was a lot larger and encompased this part and had a cast iron lid usually at ground level, which had a nut simular to the one on the aforementioned part.   You needed a special socket/wrench to turn the nut to be able to read the meter-otherwise riding one's bicycle over the lid un-locked would result in a big flat tire-ASK me how I know that one!!

[BruceS]

Has to be Company advertising that salesmen pass out.   An  ASH TRAY.