NorCal Mystery Items

[Ste@mdonkey]

My father-in-law found these two items a few days ago. They were found in northern California in an area with plenty of homesteads, wagon trails, mining, railroad, logging and other typical CA history. The “tag” looking item was found along a barb wire fence; after looking at the tag my first reaction was that it was railroad related. But the spot he found the tag is miles away from any tracks new or old… The linked item he found was handmade (assuming that from how they fused the links together) and is about 2 ½ feet long. He asked some older ranchers if they thought it had something to do it horses but they were just as puzzled as he was. So any help identifying these would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[stefen]

My guess is that the welded link joints look like arc-welded joints and not the work of a blacksmith...

That would date the finds to the 20th century...

 

[nhbenz]

The tag may be from Bethlehem Steel, San Francisco? -that would date it 1905-1941 I believe.

 

[flinthunter]

The linked rings remind me of a gang of like items that were dragged behind a drill or seeder to help cover the seed with soil after it was broadcast on the field.