Found 2 of these 25 years ago, another this year

[BGillingham]

Backstory:

Found two of these when I was young(er). And another just recently (when taking my kids out - showing them what I used to do when I was young).

All three were found in Loyalhanna Creek (new alexandria pa) - downstream from a bridge called 'Craig's Mill Bridge' (no such mill exists). The entire area is now 'flood control' - meaning they purposely flood the area to allow other areas NOT to flood - so, any residents, businesses, etc. had to vacate long ago.

Being found in the water, there is some water wear.

Two are very much the same, one seems to be the same item of a different design (but, who knows).

Material:

Not sure. They are fairly light. When tapped together they make a 'tink' sound... certainly some kind of ceramic.

Size:

The two that are the same: just over 6.5" long. The width when looking at the face with the hole is about 1". Turned on it's side, it is .9". The hole is about .2" diameter.

The one that is different: 5.5" long. The width is pretty consistently 1". This one also has a hole, near-center on one end. It seems a little less that .2" diameter and is 1" deep.

Other Characteristics:

You'll notice in the pictures, they have grooves/ridges... The two that are the same - the bottom/base seems a little different (one is more rounded, the other more flat)

What Another Said:

My father had an archaeologist friend look at them long ago. He suggested they could be wagon-wheel pins - but certainly wasn't sure. (I've looked online... couldn't find anything like them).

Pictures:

Thanks a bunch! Any help appreciated!

[cudamark]

If they're ceramic, they wouldn't be used as an axle or hitch pin. Maybe some sort of electrical insulator?

[DCMatt]

Vintage electric fence insulators?

[Plug N Play]

"certainly ceramic"

Such as, Magnets don't stick and Metal Detectors don't respond ... ?

Going by the pictures, these have the appearance of being metallic spline shafts of some nature.

[highnam]

Great pics and description...gave yourself the best chance to get the correct answer. Thank you

[capsmith]

Graphite rods out of a battery.

[Rowdy Yates]

Yes, dry cell battery cores.

[mojjax]

Wind chime ?

[BGillingham]

Graphite rods out of a battery.

That and DCMatt's suggestion are probably along the right path... (and Rowdy Yates - which I just saw now)

Searching for [Graphite rods out of a battery] - i was able to find someone suggesting theirs was "an electrode out of a large electric lantern battery, or perhaps even a telegraph battery." - along with this pic (which is certainly the one type i had found).



- thanks so far everyone! I'll research a bit more and let you know what I find out!

[BGillingham]

Wind chime ?

- if I find more... that is what they'll become!

[BGillingham]

Graphite rods out of a battery.

Yes - this is certainly the answer. Thanks Rowdy Yates too for the image... it is very clear now.

Thanks All!!

this is a nice pic of both types:

[Spats]

Rowdy, I loved your work on Rawhide.