posted 03-11-2014 09:21 PM               

Last year I took a chance and won this item on eBay. It's the one piece in my collection that I can't identify. The seller listed it as an "Apollo Command Module Block I Component". When asked about the origin, he/she replied, "Estate sale find. Ex TRW engineer from Playa Del Rey California ...that's all I know."

It doesn't have a NAS# or anything I can corroborate, but the price was $26 and the seller had a good rating. I figured it was worth the gamble. If it turns out to be nothing, no big loss. For all I know, it's really an ashtray from a '72 Buick.

It's about 7 inches wide. Stamped Apr 13, 1966. You'll note the swirl milling marks (a prototype?) There is also a small set screw next to the large diameter hole in the center. There are numbers 616004913, V16-531636 "N/C", and 03953, and a circular stamp with ANL.

Can you guys point me in a direction to identify this thing? Where can I research? Or is there someone I should talk to? All of the documents I've poured over so far are way too high-level systems descriptions for a small part like this. Anybody see anything in the pictures that indicates its really from a Block I CM?

Below are a couple of photos. But more detailed photos are here.