🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Iron chisel, wedge or ???

[invent4hir]

All, I found this heavy ferrous artifact in the same hole as a pocket knife at a former cabin site. Initially I thought it was a hammer head - but after removing the dirt didn't see a hole for a handle. After looking at the ends thought it could be a piece of a chisel or wedge - but.... Other artifacts found nearby range from the late 1700s to mid 1800s.

 

[Blackfoot58]

Could be a corroded splitting wedge.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Looks like a failed blacksmith project.

 

[invent4hir]

Could be a corroded splitting wedge.

Thanks for taking a look. I've been looking at that rounded edge and trying figure out its purpose as that might help ID.

 

[invent4hir]

Looks like a failed blacksmith project.

Thanks, it could very well be. If the small end had a longer handle, I could imagine it being some sort of pry bar...

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Around my area, it was still rugged and untamed land back in 1850. Folks packed what iron they had on their backs at some point along the way. Iron could not be wasted. Everything was recycled. A blacksmith was essential to survival. If there was not one nearby, folks did their own field repairs. I’ve seen some pretty crude pieces obviously done by someone practicing or simply failing because they had no skills or understanding.

Could be a similar situation at your older site.

 

[invent4hir]

Around my area, it was still rugged and untamed land back in 1850. Folks packed what iron they had on their backs at some point along the way. Iron could not be wasted. Everything was recycled. A blacksmith was essential to survival. If there was not one nearby, folks did their own field repairs. I’ve seen some pretty crude pieces obviously done by someone practicing or simply failing because they had no skills or understanding.

Could be a similar situation at your older site.

Good point!