Help identifying an unusual find in East TN

[hammit1982]

hey guys, I'm new to the forum and the hobby. I found this item yesterday while digging in a field where an old house used to sit. The house dates back to the 1800's. I have no idea what this item is. It kind of looks like an old handle of some sort. Also, how should I clean it up? Again, I'm new at this. Any help or advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

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[Gunrunner61]

Id put it in a tupperware bowl, One of the flat kind, And pour enough Apple Cider Vineger to cover it entirely. Check on it in about 3-5 Days...HH

 

[hammit1982]

Id put it in a tupperware bowl, One of the flat kind, And pour enough Apple Cider Vineger to cover it entirely. Check on it in about 3-5 Days...HH

ok thanks alot! Will white vinegar work too?

 

[RaduTepes]

Perhaps a small masonary saw. I agree with Gunrunner61 you'd need the cider vinegar for the acidity, white vinegar wouldn't work as well.

 

[hammit1982]

Perhaps a small masonary saw. I agree with Gunrunner61 you'd need the cider vinegar for the acidity, white vinegar wouldn't work as well.

ok thanks for your input! its rounded towards the top, kind of like a socket wrench

 

[detectit]

Looks like a leg shank. Fireplace andiron leg. The wood sets on. It elavates the wood up, for lighting it. The short shank goes down to the floor, the long run goes into the posts that keep the wood from rolling out of the fireplace. You've seen 'em before in fireplaces. They will separate from each other. 2 pieces sometimes. Here's one similar: check the leg pictures. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Antique.../280901244064?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item416704d4a0

 

[kccj76]

You might try reading on electrolysis. Here is a step-by-step link if interested. http://jolinhunt.tripod.com/Electrolysis.html

 

[kuger]

Looks like a Gate hinge piece to me...it was driven into wood and the gate would pivot on it

 

[hammit1982]

Looks like a Gate hinge piece to me...it was driven into wood and the gate would pivot on it

that's pretty cool..I never thought of that. I have it soaking in cider vinegar so we'll see I guess

 

[flintchip]

that's pretty cool..I never thought of that. I have it soaking in cider vinegar so we'll see I guess

I found one exactly like it in the middle of a Civil War camp. After researching awhile I found a thread (which I believe was on TNET) where another person had also found one on a Civil War site. It turned out to be a door hinge that was driven into the wood and used the round pin to swing on. At least thats the way I understood it. Anyway it's a neat find and one that deserves to be preserved.

 

[hammit1982]

I found one exactly like it in the middle of a Civil War camp. After researching awhile I found a thread (which I believe was on TNET) where another person had also found one on a Civil War site. It turned out to be a door hinge that was driven into the wood and used the round pin to swing on. At least thats the way I understood it. Anyway it's a neat find and one that deserves to be preserved.

well I do know that the site where I found it was where an old house was, built before the Civil War if I'm not mistaken. To my knowledge there wasn't a lot of Civil War activity around this particular site, but based on what you have found out it fits the time period

 

[DCMatt]

My first thought was a power pole climbing rung. All the guesses made are possibilities...



DCMatt