"Steve B" wrote in message
.. .

Chemixcal tests damage the finish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes
For historical authenticity the test must be done naked.
jsw

Already run through the specific gravity test in my mind.

Steve

Try it on known samples first. It isn't as easy as you might think to obtain
an accurate result when the important value is a small fraction of the total
weight. If your weighing scale permits, the better technique is to suspend
the object by thread in air and then water. The specific gravity is the
weight in air divided by the weight -lost- in water, which equals the volume
in metric. Measuring the overflow is tricky and likely inaccurate.

I can often identify metal by how cold it feels, due to its thermal
conductivity. Again, compare the unknown to samples.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/th...als-d_858.html

A drop of lye (NaOH) will make aluminum bubble, and turn grey to black if
it's alloyed with copper. Lye attacks zinc too but zinc is dense and
'warmer' like steel. Your peanut could be a mix of Al and Zn such as Zamak.
Lye has little or no effect on other metals.

jsw