✅ SOLVED Found near old hydraulic pit.

[dagaro17]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to detecting and was hoping someone knows what this is? 6 3/4" long. Thanks in advance!

 

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[firemanphob]

Rounded portion would make me think it was mounted on a wooden pole with a bolt and possibly a band around the portion between the hook and the raised lug. possibly a hook for a long reach.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Looks blacksmith-made to me, my first thought was some type of a gate or barn door latch.

You're fortunate to have such a dry environment in Northern California, the iron I find never looks as clean as that piece.

Dave

 

[ToddsPoint]

Bicycle kickstand. Gary

 

[Indian Steve]

Buggy or wagon step?

 

[arrow86]

Maybe a thumb latch for an older door something like this ....

 

[dagaro17]

Thanks to you all for your responses. A little more info. It was found near one of the only flat places on a steep hillside close to the hydraulic pit. In the same area there were lots of square nails, a few cans and a spool of thin wire. The flat area is loaded with iron signals.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

yep its a thumb latch for an old heavy wooden gate or door https://www.vandykes.com/blk-iron-thumblatch-set-with-rounded-base/p/702432/

 

[A2coins]

I agree great Id

 

[dagaro17]

Thanks again everyone. I would have never figured that out. Treasurenet is awesome!

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Better uncheck the "solved" button....I'll post up a picture that will help you out in a few days.
I'd upload a picture, but I can't seem to find one on the internet. I do know where to take a picture of it in its complete form.

The best part of the "what is it forum?"
is the suspense of finding out what something actually is.
It is blacksmith made (as were most all of the metal objects in the early days).

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Better uncheck the "solved" button....I'll post up a picture that will help you out in a few days.
I'd upload a picture, but I can't seem to find one on the internet. I do know where to take a picture of it in its complete form.

.

I should have said it looks like a thumblatch but why does it have a hole in it? What do you think it is?

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

I should have said it looks like a thumblatch but why does it have a hole in it? What do you think it is?

I know what it is.
It was a mystery for me as well for quite some time.
I think I will be able to stop by the museum this evening and snap a picture.

 

[Anduril]

IMAUDIGGER: I know what it is.
It was a mystery for me as well for quite some time.
I think I will be able to stop by the museum this evening and snap a picture.

I'm just going to preemptively "like" this post.

 

[kingskid1611]

Dang I was thinking antique shoehorn....

 

[dagaro17]

IMAUDIGGER: I appreciate your efforts and I'm really curious as to what it could be... Thanks!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I know what it is.
It was a mystery for me as well for quite some time.
I think I will be able to stop by the museum this evening and snap a picture.

if you tell us what you think it is, we maybe can find a pic online while we are waiting for the museum pic.

"It was a mystery for me as well for quite some time." You found one too?

 

[ToddsPoint]

Still looks like a kickstand to me. This one from the 30's. Gary

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Sorry for the delay. It wasn't displayed properly, but I tried to get decent pictures.
The place card said 1860, which I feel is pretty accurate.

I do wonder if this was a local design...as I've not seen any exact matches online.
I only find them in mining areas of that era.
Early rocker box long tom era. They are all made unique to fit the hand forged pick head and whatever handle they could come up with. I'm betting they had to be installed in the same way they came apart. Picks were routinely sharpened (meaning a new end was forge welded to the head). This design probably made it easy since they only had to drive the peened pin out. It must not have stayed tight, because the design was dropped in a short amount of time.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It might be