Questions about a metal "Fisherman" thermometer

I'm trying to learn more about this piece, signed on the back Zero O.W.G. I believe it may be bronze plated, if not entirely bronze. The only link I found had no photo included, but there was a listing for a "Vintage Fisherman Thermometer, German Pot Metal Bronze by Zero O.W.G" which sounds an awful lot like what I have, though it could be any size. Mine is 5" x 5" x 1.5", and is hollow.

I'm also wondering if there's a way to clean up the piece, so the corrosion is less evident. Thanks for your thoughts!

Fisherman1 by Brenda Anna posted Jun 21, 2016 at 5:19 PM

Fisherman2 by Brenda Anna posted Jun 21, 2016 at 5:19 PM

Fisherman3 by Brenda Anna posted Jun 21, 2016 at 5:19 PM

 

By the way, the person who had listed the similar piece believed it was German in origin.

 

After ruining a small metal ashtray in much the same condition as your piece, my opinion is don't clean it. I was very young when I used 000 steel wool on my piece. Yours would be even harder to keep the background of the thermometer part from being damaged.

 

Thanks, Antidiem! It does have a certain shabby chic appeal....

 

He's pretty cool!
And that pose was his last day of fishing.....

 

Probably pot metal with plating. 1950s give or take would be my guess.

 

Thanks, Verybrad!

 

Yeah, I'm thinking he probably had his foot in a cast for a long time after dropping that anchor on it!

 

That anchor would weigh about half a ton.

 

Owie!

 

I found a similar one listed on a Swedish auction from earlier this month. It doesn't appear to have any further info about it, although it appears to be in better condition, with most of the brass color still in place:

http://har.auction2000.se/auk/w.object?inC=HAR&inA=20160612_1842&inO=48

It sold for 60 Swedish kronor, which is equvalent to a little more than $7 US

Fig

 

My mom's ancestors were Swedish. It might be something we need to keep in the family. Thanks so much for the info!