what is it?

[1digger]

 

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[1digger]

hand forged item, pointed spike at both ends (so I don't think it's a nail), found in the vicinity of a 1760's era house in Pennsylvania. Any ideas?

 

[shinkus]

Gate or fence part

 

[creskol]

Does the spade-looinking end have sharpened or beveled edges?

 

[1digger]

Thanks for the ideas! One end comes to a point, the other tapers off and then bows out again before coming to a point. Almost looks like ( with some imagination) a duck's head in effigy...

 

[mick56]

Native American awl? Is it copper or iron?

 

[kuger]

Muskrat spear?

 

[zendog64]

I believe that may be a tool used by a dentist, or perhaps a family doctor or veterinarian. Perhaps you can research the house and see if a medical professional lived there. If you do a google image search for "antique dental instruments" you'll see quite a few tools which look similar.

 

[DCMatt]

18th C drill bit.



DCMatt