A very unusual piece ! Hoping for some help identifying and dating

[John Taglione]

Found this in an attic . Have no clue what it is and was hoping for your help identifying and dating.  Thank you.  John 

[BikerBonnie]

link to photos?

[John Taglione]

I Added photos by using reply 

[House of Charm Antiques Southinc]

I'm married so we wont be dating but show us the piece...

[BikerBonnie]

lol

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

I'm single but don't ride a Harley...I used to have a Schwinn bicycle, does that count?

[BikerBonnie]

hhmmm

[House of Charm Antiques Southinc]

I HD for me was enough.

[BikerBonnie]

I've got 1  HD but would love 2

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

love 2 what? Oops see some pics...back to work.

[John Taglione]

Wanted to share this with you 

This is a mold form for sand casting. It was suggested to be because of the “camera” in the listing. Perhaps if you change it to “mold form” or “sand casting” you may get more interest. Cool item though.

It’s how cast iron pans and engine blocks are made. https://youtu.be/-8KVdZIoNRQ

[John Taglione]

[Michael]

Can you show us a photo of the underside?

Also a close up of the carved in letters/symbols on the side? (not the 12X21XY)

The fainter curved text, looks like a large DA flanked by other text, with possibly something written across beneath it.

Lastly, can you show some photos of it opened, as it clearly is hinged in two sections.