🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Iron relic shaped like a key?

[FreeBirdTim]

Found this deep in the woods yesterday. It's flat, heavy iron and kind of looks similar to a key. About 4 inches long and thicker than a normal key. This area has produced coins and relics from the 1700's up to the mid-1800's. May not be that old, but you never know. Any guesses on this relic would be appreciated.

Here's a decent picture. Please ignore the nosy cat!

 

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[smokeythecat]

Guess? Part of a pedal to a very old tractor, maybe even a steam tractor. But that's a guess.

 

[creskol]

Looks like part of an old thumb latch for a door.

 

[pepperj]

Not sure on the item, but the kitty has an awesome tail.

 

[GlowingArtist]

It is way too small to be a pedal, but has a very ornamental top like a fancy spoon. Do the clock winders for those huge things about 4-5.5 ft. tall use keys of that shape?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Not sure on the item, but the kitty has an awesome tail.

Yup, he's quite the cat! He's got huge double paws, front and back. Looks like the paws of a lion! He weighs around 20 pounds, but he's a gentle giant. Doesn't kill any critters and gets along with my other cats. One of the good ones...

 

[FreeBirdTim]

All good suggestions, but still not positive what it was used for. Door latch is a good guess, but most door latches are curved a little bit. It's a nice find, but I hate it when I can't figure out what it was used for back then!

 

[Underwonder]

Found this deep in the woods yesterday. It's flat, heavy iron and kind of looks similar to a key. About 4 inches long and thicker than a normal key. This area has produced coins and relics from the 1700's up to the mid-1800's. May not be that old, but you never know. Any guesses on this relic would be appreciated.

I wonder if the rust was removed if there are any markings on the piece to help identify it? Interesting shape.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I could do electrolysis on it, but it's pretty pitted. Might give it a shot, though. I really want to know what this is and if it's colonial era or more recent. The area where I found it has few targets, but it's part of a public land trust of over 100 acres. I've found at least 50 flat buttons there, as well as colonial shoe buckles and my banner find, a 1785 Bar cent.

 

[Underwonder]

I could do electrolysis on it, but it's pretty pitted. Might give it a shot, though. I really want to know what this is and if it's colonial era or more recent. The area where I found it has few targets, but it's part of a public land trust of over 100 acres. I've found at least 50 flat buttons there, as well as colonial shoe buckles and my banner find, a 1785 Bar cent.

It sounds lime fun and productive hunts! I would love to know what it is also!