Michigan Unintentional Relic Find

[Mitchgoblue]

Well, I wasn't trying to find anything today but turns out I did. As I was working on my garden I came upon two really old metal things. One of the things I could identify as a horseshoe and the other I think are some Blacksmith's tongs. I was hoping someone could give me some clarification as of what everything is and how old it might or might not be. Thank You. Location Found: Harbor Springs, Michigan.

"Tongs"

Reverse side "Tongs"

Horseshoe

Misc Photos

More Photos

anotherone

 

[CRUSADER]

Quick turn the horseshoe up the other way, your spilling out all the Luck.

Welcome to Tnet

No idea on age, but they don't look very old.

 

[Lucas]

Well you got the ID already.

These things were used in the Midwest up to the 1950's in rural farm areas. The shoe is not really early, so let's say 1880-1950?

What are you planting?

 

[Mitchgoblue]

I'm pretty sure it's older than 1880's guys. I know one thing for a fact, there was never a farm in the area of where I live (in the middle of the woods). Harbor springs was founded by the Jesuits in like the 1850's. Also, we live really close to the settlement of Friendship Township in 1876. Does anyone know history of the area that I don't know?.... we are planting vegetables, fruits, flowers, and such. Like strawberries, mint, cucumbers, and stuff like that.

 

[Lucas]

Could be logging related. Are you in the pinery?

 

[CRUSADER]

I'm pretty sure it's older than 1880's guys. I know one thing for a fact, there was never a farm in the area of where I live (in the middle of the woods). Harbor springs was founded by the Jesuits in like the 1850's. Also, we live really close to the settlement of Friendship Township in 1876. Does anyone know history of the area that I don't know?.... we are planting vegetables, fruits, flowers, and such. Like strawberries, mint, cucumbers, and stuff like that.

First mistake, don't always try & put your finds into the known history of any given area. Otherwise the Romans drunk Budweiser in my area. Best find out, like your doing now, what they are/age. Then theorise as much as you like based on the evidence.

 

[Mitchgoblue]

Could be logging related. Are you in the pinery?

Well, I've been told that the area used to be a logging area in about 1870.

 

[Lucas]

1870's... That works for me.

They went in for the white pine first usually. Later for the hardwoods. A lot of maple flooring around here has MICHIGAN stamps on the back, in purple ink. The flooring sometimes has dates, 1920's to about 1940.

 

[Mitchgoblue]

What would you guys guess those "tongs" are? are they really blacksmiths tongs or something to do with logging?

 

[AU Seeker]

I would say yes they are Blacksmith's tongs, most likely from a farrier working on the draft horses and or mules use to pull logs, hence the size of the large shoe you found, age could be any where from the 50s and earlier.

http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/Tem...e=&PHPSESSID=bdc1db9cc72df7e51899009ca0a5a16c

http://www.blacksmithsupply.com/catalog.aspx?StoreName=blacksmith_supply&DeptID=202755

 

[Lucas]

Definitely blacksmith tongs. I have quite a few.

Horses are making a comeback in logging, in small operations and steep areas.

Both these pics are of logging.

 

[traderoftreasures]

yes blacksmith for handling hot metal

 

[jimbob450]

According to my copy of the Sear,Roebuck Catalogue of 1923
You have a set of blacksmith straight up tongs . Can be found
on page 873 and sold for .50 cents. My scanner isnt working or i
would show a pic. Jimbob

 

[Mitchgoblue]

I would say yes they are Blacksmith's tongs, most likely from a farrier working on the draft horses and or mules use to pull logs, hence the size of the large shoe you found, age could be any where from the 50s and earlier.

http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/Tem...e=&PHPSESSID=bdc1db9cc72df7e51899009ca0a5a16c

http://www.blacksmithsupply.com/catalog.aspx?StoreName=blacksmith_supply&DeptID=202755

you talking 1850's or 1950's?

 

[Mitchgoblue]

According to my copy of the Sear,Roebuck Catalogue of 1923
You have a set of blacksmith straight up tongs . Can be found
on page 873 and sold for .50 cents. My scanner isnt working or i
would show a pic. Jimbob

these tongs are definately homemade. you can tell by the various mistakes the farrier made himself on the tongs.

 

[Lucas]

Yup Handmade. I can see a forge weld in one of the handles.

 

[Mitchgoblue]

Yup Handmade. I can see a forge weld in one of the handles.

what would your best guess on a date be?

 

[Lucas]

LOL!

1492-1992. These didn't change much. The Romans had similar tongs, just not in Michigan. You need to find some more stuff. More data = better dating.

 

[AU Seeker]

I would say yes they are Blacksmith's tongs, most likely from a farrier working on the draft horses and or mules use to pull logs, hence the size of the large shoe you found, age could be any where from the 50s and earlier.

http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/Tem...e=&PHPSESSID=bdc1db9cc72df7e51899009ca0a5a16c

http://www.blacksmithsupply.com/catalog.aspx?StoreName=blacksmith_supply&DeptID=202755

you talking 1850's or 1950's?

I was talking 1950s and earlier as horses and mules were still used in logging, but that would include the 1850s and earlier as well.

Skip

 

[traderoftreasures]

my guess on the tong dates is 1930 similar to the age of the shoe in another photo.