Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp???Solved

VOL1266-X · Mar 13, 2011

I dug this iron relic in the center of a Gen. John Hunt Morgan Cavalry Camp this morning while hunting with Dman. We think it's a blacksmith made hoof pick. Any other ideas? Thanks, Quindy.

kuger · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Quindy, I would say it was a latch,like was commonly used on harness

RickyD · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Can't tell by the picture, but is there a chance the tip was broken off. If it originally had more of a hook to it, it may have been what was used to hook the handle of hot cooking pots to take them off the fire. They were a pretty common item in camp.

ModernMiner · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

RickyD said:
Can't tell by the picture, but is there a chance the tip was broken off. If it originally had more of a hook to it, it may have been what was used to hook the handle of hot cooking pots to take them off the fire. They were a pretty common item in camp.

That's what I would guess too Q.
A hook to hang something on.
-MM-

kuger · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

If you look closely you can see where the thin metal was attached that went up to the hook.I cant remember what they called the type of deal I am trying to describe.They are commonly used on leashes now

Charlene · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

If I had to guess...a hook for hay. Feeding those horses in camp.

taz42o · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

kuger said:
If you look closely you can see where the thin metal was attached that went up to the hook.I cant remember what they called the type of deal I am trying to describe.They are commonly used on leashes now

Spring or snap hook.

traderoftreasures · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

almost looks like a bottle opener

kuger · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Charlene said:
If I had to guess...a hook for hay. Feeding those horses in camp.

With all do respect,it must have been used by very small people for very small bales!!!!

cavtrooper · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Cavalrymen during the Civil War would also fight on foot. To do this, three out of every four troopers would dismount and use a link strap so that the fourth man, who remained mounted, would have control of the horses and be able to maneuver them to safety. The link strap attached to the bit of the dismounted mans horse and attached to the bit or halter of the horse next. What you found is the link off of that strap. This is a link to one of those straps on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-CIVIL-WAR-LEATHER-LINK-STRAP-INSPECTED-STAMP-/330520270558 Congratulations, this is a wonderful find.

kuger · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

cavtrooper said:
Cavalrymen during the Civil War would also fight on foot. To do this, three out of every four troopers would dismount and use a link strap so that the fourth man, who remained mounted, would have control of the horses and be able to maneuver them to safety. The link strap attached to the bit of the dismounted mans horse and attached to the bit or halter of the horse next. What you found is the link off of that strap. This is a link to one of those straps on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-CIVIL-WAR-LEATHER-LINK-STRAP-INSPECTED-STAMP-/330520270558 Congratulations, this is a wonderful find.

That is exactly the type I was trying to describe!!Great info and link Cav!

ModernMiner · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

cavtrooper said:
Cavalrymen during the Civil War would also fight on foot. To do this, three out of every four troopers would dismount and use a link strap so that the fourth man, who remained mounted, would have control of the horses and be able to maneuver them to safety. The link strap attached to the bit of the dismounted mans horse and attached to the bit or halter of the horse next. What you found is the link off of that strap. This is a link to one of those straps on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-CIVIL-WAR-LEATHER-LINK-STRAP-INSPECTED-STAMP-/330520270558 Congratulations, this is a wonderful find.

Excellent job on the ID Cavtrooper. Looks like you and Kuger nailed this one. :hello2:

-MM-

Great find Quindy. :icon_thumleft:

VOL1266-X · Mar 13, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

ModernMiner said:
cavtrooper said:

Cavalrymen during the Civil War would also fight on foot. To do this, three out of every four troopers would dismount and use a link strap so that the fourth man, who remained mounted, would have control of the horses and be able to maneuver them to safety. The link strap attached to the bit of the dismounted mans horse and attached to the bit or halter of the horse next. What you found is the link off of that strap. This is a link to one of those straps on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-CIVIL-WAR-LEATHER-LINK-STRAP-INSPECTED-STAMP-/330520270558 Congratulations, this is a wonderful find.

Click to expand...

Excellent job on the ID Cavtrooper. Looks like you and Kuger nailed this one.
-MM-

Great find Quindy.

Thanks Cody, Ricky, MM, Charlene, taz42o, TOT, and Cavtrooper. This makes perfect sense because Gen. Morgan's Troopers were FAMOUS for dismounting to fight on foot with the youngest trooper assigned to hold the horses. In fact, I found 42 CS bullets in an area as small as a pickup truck bed in a spot where the Rebels of Morgan's Raiders formed up behind a hill at the Battle of Hartsville. Only bullets-no brass. I figure that one trooper dismounted and dumped his cartridge box or bag in the 4+inches of snow and just borrowed bulletrs as they went directly into an attack on the Yankee Camp. Thanks to all for your interest, Quindy.

steelheadwill · Mar 14, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Very Interesting Find !
must say it looks quite similar to this item I found on a small island that was used as an Immigrant Quarantine/ TB sanitarium.
I posted it in whatsit, Never solved, (till now maybe)
or Do you think it's a hoof pick :dontknow:

Great detective Work :thumbsup:

VOL1266-X · Mar 14, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

steelheadwill said:
Very Interesting Find !
must say it looks quite similar to this item I found on a small island that was used as an Immigrant Quarantine/ TB sanitarium.
I posted it in whatsit, Never solved, (till now maybe)
or Do you think it's a hoof pick
Great detective Work

Herbie, cavtrooper cleared it up. Your item looks like an old iron medical instrument of some sort to me. If there's a hole in the middle piece, it may have had another part with it like a pair of scissors attached by a rivet. Very interesting relic. HH, Quindy.

nova treasure · Mar 14, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Very interesting find Quindy and Great id guys.

Bill

steelheadwill · Mar 14, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

VOL1266-X said:
steelheadwill said:

Very Interesting Find !
must say it looks quite similar to this item I found on a small island that was used as an Immigrant Quarantine/ TB sanitarium.
I posted it in whatsit, Never solved, (till now maybe)
or Do you think it's a hoof pick
Great detective Work

Click to expand...

Herbie, cavtrooper cleared it up. Your item looks like an old iron medical instrument of some sort to me. If there's a hole in the middle piece, it may have had another part with it like a pair of scissors attached by a rivet. Very interesting relic. HH, Quindy.

Thanks !
I saw that your piece had been solved, the question about hoofpick was only directed at the piece I found, I should have been more clear :-[

The island was a creepy place to detect, had that 'being watched' feeling.
Good to be able to rule out hoofpick on my find. medical instrument eek

Congrats on your CW find ! :thumbsup:

stefen · Mar 14, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

Charlene said:
If I had to guess...a hook for hay. Feeding those horses in camp.

Just as a side comment, baled hay didn't come onto the scene until the mid 1930's...

kuger · Mar 14, 2011

Re: Iron Hoof Pick from CSA Cav. Camp

stefen said:
Charlene said:

If I had to guess...a hook for hay. Feeding those horses in camp.

Click to expand...

Just as a side comment, baled hay didn't come onto the scene until the mid 1930's...

Yes,good point

mrs.oroblanco · Mar 17, 2011

Just as a side comment, baled hay didn't come onto the scene until the mid 1930's...

Yeah - no.

Patent # 113792 - first hay baler - 1871. (by P.A. Perry) A stationary hay baler was made and used in the 1850's. Perry invented the first moving one, and it was attached to a tractor for the first time in the 1930's.

On the item - it looks like a bottle opener to me too.

B