Iron Relic found at Confederate Virginia site - What could it be?

[ATpro5]

Hello everyone, I found this iron thing-ama-jig at a site that is supposedly connected to confederate cavalry. Seeing how I found a ton of blacksmith made horseshoes, and I mean a ton, i'm guessing that assumption is spot on. Although I do not know what this thing really is, it has sparked my interest so I was hoping someone with some experience could tell me. For some reason, when I look at it I automatically think of a drill... The end of it looks like it was inserted into the tool... kind of like a drill bit, But I don't know. Did they even have drills in the civil war Hopefully someone tells me its a Rare drill used on cannons which only 2 are known to exist, andddd is worth around $5,000. Haha! Thanks in advance. Oh and also, I cleaned it with an steel brush and finished it off with some oil.

 

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[Pick_axe]

It is a horse but

Sorry, Fletch. A horse but would have a tail and resemble a recent president.
Seriously, I think Pepperj is on to something. This could date back to when people didn't throw away everything as readily as we do.
Very curious.

 

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[ATpro5]

Looking at images of horse bits I can see the where there is similarities. What throws this off is the thickness of the shaft on the T end compared to the open end which would be in line with a rusted bit. I'm thinking a broken horse bit that has been repurposed for some other use.

Thanks for the response. I see your point... It appears that the thick part that would have been on the other side was shaved down... For what? who knows.

 

[ATpro5]

I was digging through some of the other iron that I found at this site... and found what appears to be a hand-forged hinge possibly? And what appears to be a unfinished horse shoe or another tool of some sort. This just further proves that this was probably the site of a blacksmiths shop at one point. Now that I think of it, I remember finding a bunch of random squares of rusted iron that I ended up leaving behind.

 

[Fletch88]

I found a hinge very similar to that one

 

[ARC]

My guess... "throw arm" from pedal driven sewing machine... wash tub or some other pedal driven item...

You can visibly see the "bearing" area and the "seat" part on end...

SIMILIAR to this...

 

[creskol]

I was asked by a member to voice my opinion on this item, so, in my opinion, that is a very old Spanish/Mexican bit with cannon (mouth piece) rollers. The rollers are missing on the lower cannon as shown in the photo.

 

[pepperj]

My guess... "throw arm" from pedal driven sewing machine... wash tub or some other pedal driven item...

You can visibly see the "bearing" area and the "seat" part on end...

SIMILIAR to this...

View attachment 1182166

Can see what you're referring to on the treadle machine, but I think that the cast loop (the part that is being debated) that connects the pitman arm to the flywheel has shorter shafts than the one the OP has found.

 

[Mud Hut]

I was asked by a member to voice my opinion on this item, so, in my opinion, that is a very old Spanish/Mexican bit with cannon (mouth piece) rollers. The rollers are missing on the lower cannon as shown in the photo.

I agree.

 

[ATpro5]

My guess... "throw arm" from pedal driven sewing machine... wash tub or some other pedal driven item...

You can visibly see the "bearing" area and the "seat" part on end...

SIMILIAR to this...

View attachment 1182166

I see the similarity, although I think what I have found is to small to be a throw arm from a sewing machine. Possibly a mini-sewing machine haha

 

[ATpro5]

I was asked by a member to voice my opinion on this item, so, in my opinion, that is a very old Spanish/Mexican bit with cannon (mouth piece) rollers. The rollers are missing on the lower cannon as shown in the photo.

I also agree. As I stated in a earlier comment, I can now see where it appears that one of the rings have broken off the T. So I am pretty sure that it is indeed just a broken horse bit. Oh well, it may not be super fascinating but at least its still a piece of history. As I was digging through my junk last night I found some more iron that came from this site, including a complete stirrup that I had completely forgot about. It is quite small! Ill post pictures shortly and hopefully someone can give me a age, and possibly if its intended use was for a child , woman , or small man. haha

 

[ATpro5]

I found a hinge very similar to that oneView attachment 1182161

Yours appear to be a little more "fancy" haha. They would come in handy if someone was trying to restore a 18th/19th century cabin. Would look neat

 

[Erik in NJ]

Can someone please post a pic of what the bit would have approximately looked like intact? I'm not that familiar with bits although I believe I have found part of one--a straight piece with two rings attached. Thanks.

 

[ATpro5]

Can someone please post a pic of what the bit would have approximately looked like intact? I'm not that familiar with bits although I believe I have found part of one--a straight piece with two rings attached. Thanks.

 

[ATpro5]

That's the closest match I could find to mine on google. There are so many different varieties.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks. I have found a piece that looks like one of the pieces on the right and left side. Now I know where it comes from! So what part was put in the horse's mouth? The curved part?

 

[ivan salis]

looks like a tool hanger of sorts ...screwed into the wooden wall the u part holds the leather strap.... the t type end prevents it slipping off ... around a blacksmith shop several tools would have been used

 

[ARC]

IT IS a throw... of some sort...
Throw latch... throw switch...
Internal throw bar...

Whatever... BUT
IT IS NOT...
a bit.

Heh :P

 

[Fletch88]

It's a horses tongue throw! Lol

 

[CRUSADER]

View attachment 1182274

Horse bit was my first thought!

 

[Garrett424]

Whatever it is it's a cool old find.