🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Help Dating Metal Arrow

iliveinahole

Jr. Member
Dec 20, 2021
61
126
Eastern Oregon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting

Attachments

  • 20220104_194037.jpg
    20220104_194037.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 210
  • 20220104_194054.jpg
    20220104_194054.jpg
    2.7 MB · Views: 113
  • 20220104_194204.jpg
    20220104_194204.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 119
  • 20220104_194318.jpg
    20220104_194318.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 108
  • 20220104_194334.jpg
    20220104_194334.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 114

Back-of-the-boat

Gold Member
Apr 18, 2013
6,872
8,470
California
Detector(s) used
AT GOLD/Garrett /C.Scope cs4PI/Garrett(carrot) pro pointer/ 5x8 double d coil and sniper coil/Lesche digger/Lesche "T" handle shovel.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I think it is a homemade item, not anything commercially bought, also it doesn't have a nock for a string to go into, maybe it was more like a spear (dart) for an atlatl. The length is pretty short for a bow, my bow draws at 30 inches. These are my thoughts, by no means a definite I.D. just my observations. Cool find though.
 

Last edited:
Upvote 6
OP
OP
I

iliveinahole

Jr. Member
Dec 20, 2021
61
126
Eastern Oregon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I think it is a homemade item, not anything commercially bought, also it doesn't have a nock for a string to go into, maybe it was more like a spear (dart) for an atlatl. The length is pretty short for a bow, my bow draws at 30 inches. These are my thoughts, by no means a definite I.D. just my observations. Cool find though.
Appreciate your info and didn't think about the notch. Gave me some things to look into. Thanks!
 

Upvote 2

Older The Better

Silver Member
Apr 24, 2017
3,088
5,695
south east kansas
Detector(s) used
Whites Eagle Spectrum
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Not saying definitely not because they made points out of almost anything but it doesn’t resemble any styles of Native American trade points I’m aware of also in most places the wood wouldn’t hold up, looks like maybe someone was practicing some metal work…. Come to think of it that’s not how they hafted their points anyway.
 

Upvote 1

thormchammer

Jr. Member
Dec 14, 2021
62
100
Timbered regions of the PNW.
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Really not sure how old this is or where at came from, but would appreciate any help 😁
The fletching or fins are obviously broke off and the shaft isn't round or consistent from one end to the other.
Thanks in advance!
Looking at the head, that appears to be hammered metal. Given your comment about the imperfect shaft, and the poor head design, and the lack of a notch, I’m found with someone’s attempt at a homemade arrow. 18” is too long for a crossbow bolt, normally, and shorter than arrows, but not all. If someone was working on an old school short bow, could explain it. It looks like they tried to fletch it with wrapped wire too. Are there 2 fletches or 3? It doesn’t strike me as long enough for an atlatl.
 

Upvote 2
OP
OP
I

iliveinahole

Jr. Member
Dec 20, 2021
61
126
Eastern Oregon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Looking at the head, that appears to be hammered metal. Given your comment about the imperfect shaft, and the poor head design, and the lack of a notch, I’m found with someone’s attempt at a homemade arrow. 18” is too long for a crossbow bolt, normally, and shorter than arrows, but not all. If someone was working on an old school short bow, could explain it. It looks like they tried to fletch it with wrapped wire too. Are there 2 fletches or 3? It doesn’t strike me as long enough for an atlatl.
Really appreciate you covering all possibilities and input. I looked online for quite awhile, but you and the others kicked Google searchs' ass. Hadn't even considered the crossbow before.
So as far as the shaft not being "perfect"; it is straight but that it's not round from one end to the other. There's some flat spots and you can feel edges with your fingertip as you turn it.
It had two fletches and can see a tiny bit of their remnants. Did just notice a small indentation on the shaft by the end. Not the notch for the bow. It could possibly be from some damage unrelated.
Thanks again for your insight. I appreciate all you guys. Here's a couple more pics attempting to show the dent in back and "flat" area.
 

Attachments

  • 20220106_011127.jpg
    20220106_011127.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 68
  • 20220106_011141.jpg
    20220106_011141.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 59
  • 20220106_011244.jpg
    20220106_011244.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 66
  • 20220106_011337.jpg
    20220106_011337.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 58
  • 20220106_011353.jpg
    20220106_011353.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 56
  • 20220106_011405.jpg
    20220106_011405.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 56
Upvote 2

Gare

Gold Member
Dec 30, 2012
7,366
13,874
Canton Ohio Area
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
2
Detector(s) used
Presently using Deus 2's & have Minelabs, Nokta's Tesoro's DEus's Have them all . Have WAY to many need to get rid of some
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
What about a arrow made for spear fishing ? Cross Bow ?

 

Upvote 1

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top