✅ SOLVED Aluminum or silver spike

[SirDiggsALot]

My dad found this 9" aluminum or silver spike while we were out detecting? Anybody know what this is?
We thought it may have been a railway spike of some kind.

 

[Ant]

It looks like an old screwdriver or chisel to me

 

[cudamark]

An acid test will tell which of the two metals (if it's one or the other) You should also be able to tell by the weight.

 

[SirDiggsALot]

It looks like an old screwdriver or chisel to me

I don't think it's either of those, it looks like it's been sharpened to be hammered in to something.

 

[SirDiggsALot]

An acid test will tell which of the two metals (if it's one or the other) You should also be able to tell by the weight.

Yeah I'm going to test it as soon as I get a test kit just ordered one. It's pretty heavy though.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Does it weigh three ounces or ten ounces?

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Could be stainless steel also.

 

[SirDiggsALot]

Does it weigh three ounces or ten ounces?

I would guess it to be between 9-11 ounces. I'll weigh it when I get home.

 

[Red James Cash]

aluminum = light Silver = heavy

 

[SirDiggsALot]

Ok so I just got home and measured and weighed the spike, it's 8" long and comes in at 7.13 ounces. I'll test it as soon as my precious metal kit comes in.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Then I would say it's not aluminum. Does a magnet attract to it?

 

[SirDiggsALot]

Then I would say it's not aluminum. Does a magnet attract to it?

Nope it doesn't stick to a magnet.

 

[streakert]

Tent steak?!

 

[bradyboy]

They use long Alum nails for hanging gutters
Brady

 

[cudamark]

Could be stainless steel also.

That would be my guess too, at this point.

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

It does look very old. I'd take some silver cleaner to a dark section see if it gets really shiny..if so...maybe silver. Silver Bullets, wooden stakes...I guess a Silver Stake would do the job too. Found in Transylvania?

 

[Breezie]

I have an idea, but would first like to see a photo(s) of the head as well as the point. Also, what is the diameter? When it was found, was it vertical or horizontal in the ground?

Judging by the photo, and the fact it does not attract a magnet, it looks to be stainless steel.


Breezie

 

[SirDiggsALot]

I have an idea, but would first like to see a photo(s) of the head as well as the point. Also, what is the diameter? When it was found, was it vertical or horizontal in the ground?

Judging by the photo, and the fact it does not attract a magnet, it looks to be stainless steel.


Breezie

Here are the pics you asked for, thanks for the help.

 

[SirDiggsALot]

Here a better pic of the top.

 

[bigfoot1]

looks like it was used as a nail set or rivet resetter