Any Ideas what this is? About 5 lbs and the size of my hand. Very heavy for its size!

[Metallic Mark]

Any ideas?Ideas? It was found on a beach in NC, about 1 foot deep, way up near the dunes. It is approximately 6" x 4 " wide. Weight approximately 5 lbs.

 

[traveller777]

Hello Mark. Welcome to Tnet.
For folks to help you more information is needed. Like where did you find it and some measurements with tape measure. We do not need the exact location just an idea of the environment. And pictures of both sides. Thanks for posting.

 

[Metallic Mark]

Hello Mark. Welcome to Tnet.
For folks to help you more information is needed. Like where did you find it and some measurements with tape measure. We do not need the exact location just an idea of the environment. And pictures of both sides. Thanks for posting.

Thanks! The post has been updated with pertinent info!

 

[traveller777]

Thanks! The post has been updated with pertinent info!

That will be helpful. Lots of beach folks on here that may give you advise.
Have you tried a magnet on it? Need a pretty good magnet due to all the coating.

 

[Metallic Mark]

That will be helpful. Lots of beach folks on here that may give you advise.
Have you tried a magnet on it? Need a pretty good magnet due to all the coating.

No I haven't tried a magnet, that's a good idea. Thx

 

[traveller777]

No I haven't tried a magnet, that's a good idea. Thx

Pretty strong magnet. Rare earth if you have one.

 

[Jose The Goon]

At first glance, it looks like a large encrusted shackle or"gyve", used for a variety of reasons around heavy equipment like backhoes,
bulldozers, cranes etc. Yours looks like it has holes for the pin or bolt and has that "U" type shape.
See Link: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/shackles-guide
Shackles, also known (albeit less commonly) by their older name, gyves, are primarily used as a means of lifting, securing or rigging heavy loads, objects and equipment. Lifting shackles

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

My first impression was an encrusted shackle but it will be hard to tell until you can break the encrustation away from the item.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Welcome to Tnet from Toronto Mark.

This looks to be something relatively modern (mid-20thc) possibly galvanized steel or even zinc.

Coating iron and steel in a protective layer of zinc, pipes had a buffer zone against the elements. Starting around 1960, galvanized pipes became the staple in homes all around the world. Galvanized steel's defining attribute is its layer of zinc coating, which forms a protective layer against the combination of moisture and oxygen that can otherwise cause rust to form on the underlying metal.

 

[pepperj]

Looking very close as others have mentioned-A shackle bolt

 

[Scrappy]

As a ship captain, I recognized that almost instantly. Looks like a large shackle with a square nut on the pin. Probably a 5 or 7.5 ton, and early 19th century. If you clean it up we could see a lot more. Square nut (floating) pins were often used for standing rigging left in place. Almost looks like it has a nasty bend to it? Improbable but not impossible. Cool find

 

[Metallic Mark]

As a ship captain, I recognized that almost instantly. Looks like a large shackle with a square nut on the pin. Probably a 5 or 7.5 ton, and early 19th century. If you clean it up we could see a lot more. Square nut (floating) pins were often used for standing rigging left in place. Almost looks like it has a nasty bend to it? Improbable but not impossible. Cool find

I am a total novice, how would you suggest I clean it up? Chisel?

 

[Picketwire]

electrolysis

 

[Digger RJ]

Any ideas?Ideas? It was found on a beach in NC, about 1 foot deep, way up near the dunes. It is approximately 6" x 4 " wide. Weight approximately 5 lbs.

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Swamp Fox]

Any ideas?Ideas? It was found on a beach in NC, about 1 foot deep, way up near the dunes. It is approximately 6" x 4 " wide. Weight approximately 5 lbs.

no idea sorry