Fishing weight and Old Nail ? anybody Know?

[Lone Star]

Hey ya'll,
Found the weight-like thing a few yards in from an old Texas Colonial homestead. It was found between an old indian shell midden, an old settler cemetery, and the old house. This property is on Galveston Bay in Chambers County.
It's not pure lead, its too hard, but heavy as heck.

Found the nail-like thing in a more confusing context.
A Spanish presidio was built over the burned out remains of a French traders cabin, that was built over an ancient indian shell midden. The shell midden is like concrete, and about 10-12 inches under the soil. Everything over it is from the mid 1700's to current.
This location is along a river feeding into Galveston Bay./
Thanks for your ideas.
Lone Star

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[GatorBoy]

That area sounds super interesting that does look like a fishing sinker to me the nail looks like an old square nail that could be from the late 17 Hundred's all the way through the 1800's

 

[njrelicgairl]

That looks like a old nail to me.

 

[Peachy]

Looks like a horse or oxen shoe nail but it looks big for that

 

[JrMack]

The nail looking thing looks to me to be an old time wedge nail used for holding an axe head, mall, or pick onto the handle.

 

[jeff of pa]

The nail looking thing looks to me to be an old time wedge nail used for holding an axe head, mall, or pick onto the handle.

I agree on nail . also looks hand forged and Probably pretty early.

Fishing sinker 1940's - 1960's would be my guess.
but could be newer.
the loop looks exactly like a sinkers.

too much so to be a counter weight

 

[Tejaas]

We call those "structural spikes"... Just a really big version of a square/rosehead nail. Kinda like a middle of the road option between a standard square nail and a railroad spike.

I see them alot on early 1800's forts, churches, and ranchhouses.

Usually to secure the boxed doorframe to the surrounding walls, the roof trusses to wall corners, etc. Also used frequently on the heavy duty, 18" long iron door hinges on barns and machine sheds that have to hold big heavy doors.

On the forts, I see them used a lot to secure the thick cedar planks that will support the limestone laid above the windows and doorways.



~Tejaas~

 

[Lone Star]

Thanks everyone.
That's great info.
I appreciate your experience on the nail and the weight.
I couldn't find any cross references online, but you guys rock!
Lone Star

 

[relic nut]

First pic could be an old home made plumb Bob. Found one similar once in early 1800s house we were remodeling. It was still hanging on the inside of a wall we tore out.