Horseshoe ages

[Nathan W]

I know some of these shoes are newer and some are mule shoes. A few I found at the 1870 church area, union Calvary passed there. How would you be able to tell if they were war horse related or just an old work horse? Some of these are still in different cleaning stages. I do them when I can’t hunt. Been raining hard for two days lol .

 

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[Blackfoot58]

I find different types also. Not sure as to age.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

You have rain!!! I'm having a extremely difficult time getting my rain barrels full. Send some rain my way. Thank you.

 

[brianc053]

Here's a link to a 2018 thread on the topic.
I refer to the first image shown (the one taken from a book) all the time when i find horseshoes.

How To Date Horseshoes (Guide)

Iv'e seen many people asking about how to date horseshoes. Many say it is nearly impossible, but I say it's not. So I thought about sharing a little "guide" on how to date horseshoes. First of all, here is a small guide with pictures & dates for more american horseshoes: As you can see the...

www.treasurenet.com

I don't think that thread addresses your war-horse question; hopefully someone with that knowledge will comment.
I think your horseshoes look contemporary with the church (later part of 1800s).

- Brian

PS - if you're curious I included a picture of how I chose to display a few shoes I found and cleaned up.

 

[Nathan W]

Here's a link to a 2018 thread on the topic.
I refer to the first image shown (the one taken from a book) all the time when i find horseshoes.

How To Date Horseshoes (Guide)

Iv'e seen many people asking about how to date horseshoes. Many say it is nearly impossible, but I say it's not. So I thought about sharing a little "guide" on how to date horseshoes. First of all, here is a small guide with pictures & dates for more american horseshoes: As you can see the...

www.treasurenet.com

I don't think that thread addresses your war-horse question; hopefully someone with that knowledge will comment.
I think your horseshoes look contemporary with the church (later part of 1800s).

- Brian

PS - if you're curious I included a picture of how I chose to display a few shoes I found and cleaned up.

View attachment 2078100

View attachment 2078101

What do you put on them so they don’t start to re-rust?

 

[brianc053]

Nathan, to prepare and present my horseshoes (and I did a separate display with axe heads), here were the steps:

1. I used a wire wheel grinder to get the dirt and rust off. With the axe heads I used a grinder to put a shiny edge/blade on the axe heads (but these are decorative only; they're too pitted and fragile to actually re-mount on shafts and use as axes)
2. I put the iron objects in the oven at 250 degrees for about 12 hours (the theory being that any remaining moisture would evaporate off)
3. I rubbed them with 3-in-1 oil.
4. I sprayed them with a matte varnish. I probably applied 4 or 5 coats.

This was all done about 3 months ago, and the horseshoes and axe heads still look good. I hope they'll hold up over time, but....who knows.

- Brian

 

[Nathan W]

Nathan, to prepare and present my horseshoes (and I did a separate display with axe heads), here were the steps:

1. I used a wire wheel grinder to get the dirt and rust off. With the axe heads I used a grinder to put a shiny edge/blade on the axe heads (but these are decorative only; they're too pitted and fragile to actually re-mount on shafts and use as axes)
2. I put the iron objects in the oven at 250 degrees for about 12 hours (the theory being that any remaining moisture would evaporate off)
3. I rubbed them with 3-in-1 oil.
4. I sprayed them with a matte varnish. I probably applied 4 or 5 coats.

This was all done about 3 months ago, and the horseshoes and axe heads still look good. I hope they'll hold up over time, but....who knows.

- Brian

Thanks for
The tip, I have everything except the oil

 

[AU Seeker]

Thanks for
The tip, I have everything except the oil

Use can also apply bee's wax to them when they are hot instead of using oil, nothing else is required.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

Twelve hours in the oven is over kill. I clean my iron with electrolysis. I dry the iron with a propane torch, when cool, I coat with lacquer. Relics I did 50 years ago with this method are still good to this day.

 

[relicmeister]

The quick and dirty way to preserve axe heads and horseshoes.:
I use a tool to chip off the worst rust. Then use a bunch wire wheel. Don’t Ned to remove every bit. Then a heavy coat of modge podge. They look great and stay preserved.

 

[Nathan W]

The quick and dirty way to preserve axe heads and horseshoes.:
I use a tool to chip off the worst rust. Then use a bunch wire wheel. Don’t Ned to remove every bit. Then a heavy coat of modge podge. They look great and stay preserved.

It’s hard to get it completely clean , thanks

 

[brianc053]

The quick and dirty way to preserve axe heads and horseshoes.:
I use a tool to chip off the worst rust. Then use a bunch wire wheel. Don’t Ned to remove every bit. Then a heavy coat of modge podge. They look great and stay preserved.

I like the Mod Podge suggestion and will have to try it - thanks!