✅ SOLVED Not a cow magnet...

[aquachigger]

I first thought this might be a cow magnet, but it is not magnetic. It is attracted to a magnet though. Any ideas? Found at a river site with pre-Civil War to modern stuff. Pardon the filthy diggers hand. I was working on some electrolysis stuff. Thanks...

 

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[mick56]

Looks like a roller from a bearing.View attachment bearing.bmp

 

[aquachigger]

Looks like a roller from a bearing.View attachment 656863

Could be. Have to think about that one. Ever seen a bearing roller with ends like that though? I can't figure how it would work like that or why. Your probably on the right track. Thanks...

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I'm not so sure on the bearing idea, I can't remember seeing any like that. The first thing that came to my mind was possibly part of the guts of a spring loaded check valve. I couldn't find any that looked like it though.

 

[creskol]

In the enlarged version, on the end, I see what looks like a hole through center. My guess is that it is the roller from an old roller snaffle horse bit, similar to the one shown below:

 

[kuger]

Yep,I am with Creskol,if its copper its what is called Sweet iron

 

[aquachigger]

In the enlarged version, on the end, I see what looks like a hole through center. My guess is that it is the roller from an old roller snaffle horse bit, similar to the one shown below:
View attachment 656954

I think you nailed it creskol. I don't believe I have ever seen or heard of that type of bit in all my 35 years of digging. I think I did find half of the bit from the same river hole and have it around here somewhere. Very cool indeed. My wife knew what it was as soon as I showed it to her a few minutes ago. But she is a horse person, a Veterinarian and a whole lot smarter than me.