What do I have here?

[RugerFan]

A friend of mine gave me several lead ingots of unkown origin. The ingots are 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches and weigh 6 1/2 lbs each. On the top the letters "P.L.P. CO" are visable. My friend, who is in his 60s, said these had belonged to his father, who was an electrician. He has no idea what intended use was. I don't have a hardness tester, so I can't provide Brinnell numbers. Anyone have any idea what alloy I have here?

[Pilgrim]

That seems light for lead, at least fairly pure lead. I'd guess it's at least 50% tin. Prolly 50-50 solder, maybe 60 -40, or even silver solder. Other than those guesses, I dunno. Pilgrim

[44woody]

if you want to melt down just enough to make 5 bullit and send it to me I will have a friend of mine test it for you give me a pm if you want to do it :castmine: 44Woody

[drinks]

Electricians soldered joints with gimbaled solder pots well into the '60's, they were still having to do it with solder rather than crimp sleeves or wire nuts in a few cities when I started as an apprentice in '62.
It is likely 60-40, as that was the preferred alloy for electrical use.

[RugerFan]

It does seem fairly hard, so 60/40 sounds like a winner. Thanks for the input fellas.

44Woody - I may get back to you later about hardness testing. - Thanks

[Underclocked]

Preformed Line Products Company makes a myriad of products for the electrical and communications industries. They have locations and facilities all over the world and I'm betting your ingots have been one of their products but can find only aluminum ingots in their currect products.