We found these two different horseshoes, an axe head and this trap chain. Can anyone help date the horseshoes and axe head? We are finding bottles in the same area from the late 1800’s.
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- Thread starter Aycothdad
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United States Department of Agriculture
A Practical Ax Manual Brief History of the Ax. Here are a few pictures - a bunch more on the website
Axe Head (Mar 18, 2010)
Hammer (Better Pics) (Feb 20, 2008)
A Practical Ax Manual Brief History of the Ax. Here are a few pictures - a bunch more on the website
Axe Head (Mar 18, 2010)
Hammer (Better Pics) (Feb 20, 2008)
The information that was provided was found in the book: Artifacts of Colonial America by Ivor Noel Hume. (Don't shoot the messenger-call the author!) As noted, dating horseshoes is difficult at best. As with any hand-made item, the maker has the liberty to make it as he/she wishes. A current gunmaker could easily produce a flintlock rifle with all the early fixtures, but it obviously would not be old. Same thing with an ancient spear/arrow point. All one can do is go with the professional studies that have been documented and make your best guess.
I've 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.
Hawks88
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Nice finds. Congrats. Sorry I can’t help with the dates.
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Thanks for the info! The shoes date to the 1860's and since I found the axe less than 2 feet away I'm going to assume it's from the same time period. My Son and I are new at this. We have found a lot of glass and whole medicine bottles, but we flipped when we dug these up.
Professor of Engineering
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Nice finds! 
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Nice relics, congrats 
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I pulled these from other TN threads...
United States Department of Agriculture
A Practical Ax Manual Brief History of the Ax. Here are a few pictures - a bunch more on the website
Axe Head (Mar 18, 2010)
Hammer (Better Pics) (Feb 20, 2008)
I pulled this from another TN thread - this is just one of the replies in the thread...
VPNAVY is always a great source of research and info -- just wanted to appreciate you for that mate. Cheers to you!
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The cutting edge of the Axe looks worn down-----------------------used a lot.
Marvin
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Axe looks Jersey to me. Horseshoes are just about impossible to date; but there are a few clues that knowledgeable folks can help you with.
Good to dig some iron now and then. Congrats.
Good to dig some iron now and then. Congrats.
