Is this a copper spearpoint?

[pholliday]

I just found this in Trempealeau Co. in WI. About 7 inches in the dirt. Can anyone tell me how to clean it up and straiten it.

 

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[vpnavy]

Since you posted this in New Member Introductions - Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Forum: Wisconsin for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state. Hmmm - sure looks like a tent stake?

 

[gunsil]

Don't mess with it, you will only ruin it.

 

[WIDirtFishing]

That is awesome!
I actually just moved back to the La Crosse area (Holmen to be exact) and i have been doing tons of research.
A copper point is on my bucket list! That is amazing find!

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes it is! It's copper culture, which is pre-Columbus. I'm not sure I'd try to straighten it. If you do you have to heat it, quench in cold water, bend a tiny bit. Repeat at least 6-10 times, you have to go slow. It might also snap. THAT WILL change the color of it and you won't get the original color back. I'd leave it alone. It's very, very nice.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very cool find!

IMHO: do not try to correct any defects in the artifact.

 

[A2coins]

Happy Easter and Welcome Tommy

 

[A2coins]

Hope to see some great posts from ya also

 

[Toecutter]

Thats awesome, what was you using to find it??

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania

 

[gunsil]

Yes it is! It's copper culture, which is pre-Columbus. I'm not sure I'd try to straighten it. If you do you have to heat it, quench in cold water, bend a tiny bit. Repeat at least 6-10 times, you have to go slow. It might also snap. THAT WILL change the color of it and you won't get the original color back. I'd leave it alone. It's very, very nice.

Smokey, that is all incorrect for annealing non ferrous metals such as copper or brass. To anneal (soften) copper or brass one has to heat the metal to around 1100 degrees F or until slightly red and then air cool slowly. A cold water quench will return the hardness to the metal and make it brittle. One would not have to repeat, but you are correct that there would be no natural patina left and the metal would change color. I don't think any restoration would increase it's value or aesthetics, any attempt to clean or straighten it will only cause problems. I am a silver and gold smith and have worked brass and copper also, you never quench these metals when annealing.

 

[Yak1366]

Very nice find, Congrats!!!

Welcome to TNet!!!

 

[pholliday]

Fisher F22. Just got it for my 62nd birthday this winter. Never dreamed I would actually find a spearpoint here in tremp co. I bought the Fisher to look on my family property that my dad had collected over 30 arrowheads in EauClaire Co. I was told that if the arrow heads were there I could probable find the copper as well.

 

[pholliday]

Does anyone know how much it may be worth if I sold it?

 

[diggingthe1]

It looks like the completed ebay listings are around 100-500. I would keep it for sure! That would be a highlight in my case, Please find some more!!! what a great find.

 

[Rookster]

Welcome to Tnet from Mississippi

 

[Plumbata]

Awesome find! It has a nicely formed socket and is a fine piece, what would the length be if it was straight? The value would probably be 175-200 as it is right now. Don't remove any of the patina, just gently scrub the remaining dirt. I agree that if you were to straighten it it would have to be annealed and air-cooled as gunsil explained, but it would pop off the carbonate/oxide patina which isn't ideal. Chemical re-patination (i.e. the "Swellegant" line of products) could be applied but if you leave it as is you won't have to worry about restoring it and fixing the attendant problems. Congrats on a lovely piece!

 

[Goldfinger450]

I agree with the majority, leave it with the Bend, after all you don't need it to go spear a Bear do ya?? or anything else. The Bend is what makes it MORE cool than a perfectly straight one.


Welcome to Treasure net. Brother.

 

[Possum]

Hello and welcome to T-Net from Southeast Louisiana... "D"

 

[Javadroid]

Excellent find! You've found a great place for information and fellow treasure hunters of all kinds -- welcome aboard mate!