Railroad Spike?

40 Rounds

Jr. Member
Nov 26, 2016
94
783
Iowa
Detector(s) used
GARRETT AT PRO, EQUINOX 800
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Digging in the same general area where the homes date from 1870 to 1920 primarily I found 2 spikes. One is very recognizable as the standard railroad spike. The other one is significantly longer and although it has a similar look it is different. In this area where both spikes were found there were rail lines and a rail trolley system. So my question is...A) Is this longer spike possibly a trolley spike...and B) Is there a diffefence between railroad and trolley line spikes?
 

Attachments

  • 20201121_163433.jpg
    20201121_163433.jpg
    3.1 MB · Views: 49
  • 20201121_163536.jpg
    20201121_163536.jpg
    2.7 MB · Views: 54
  • 20201121_163452.jpg
    20201121_163452.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 36
Upvote 8

Almy

Bronze Member
Mar 18, 2011
1,035
1,891
Maritime Provinces
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Cibola
Primary Interest:
Other
The longer spike looks handmade to me. Notice the head. It is also longer and thinner than usual tie spikes, even ones for signal or switch ties. It may be from an old building.
 

pa plateau hiker

Bronze Member
Jul 15, 2012
1,077
1,276
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The long one is not a RR spike. It is a cribbing spike, used to fasten lumber together.
 

pa plateau hiker

Bronze Member
Jul 15, 2012
1,077
1,276
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
It's not a climbing stake. Climbing stakes have a different type of head on them. I have dug dozens of cribbing spikes and have sold some on Ebay.
 

smallfoot

Bronze Member
May 29, 2019
1,969
4,140
Flawda
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro, Bounty Hunter Tracker IV
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The long one is not a RR spike. It is a cribbing spike, used to fasten lumber together.

I agree! Cribbing spike, sometimes referred to as a bridge spike. For fastening large timbers.
 

OP
OP
40 Rounds

40 Rounds

Jr. Member
Nov 26, 2016
94
783
Iowa
Detector(s) used
GARRETT AT PRO, EQUINOX 800
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Great discussion everyone! Not sure if it matters or was noticed and I probably should have mentioned it but the longer spike has 4 flat sides just like a railroad spike. Not sure if that helps clarify or throws more mud in the water.
 

Wildcat1750

Gold Member
Nov 18, 2012
5,015
4,105
Western CT
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
4
Detector(s) used
AT PRO/Ace 250w8.5x11" DD Coil/
Garrett Pro-Pointer/Garrett Pro-Pointer AT/
Vibra-Tector 730/
Radio Shack Discovery 1000 (Tracker IV)
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Nice finds.
Not sure about the longer spike but I think trolley tracks, if laid on ties, will have the same spikes.
 

smallfoot

Bronze Member
May 29, 2019
1,969
4,140
Flawda
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro, Bounty Hunter Tracker IV
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
One of mine.
 

Attachments

  • 102_1118.JPG
    102_1118.JPG
    439.3 KB · Views: 26
OP
OP
40 Rounds

40 Rounds

Jr. Member
Nov 26, 2016
94
783
Iowa
Detector(s) used
GARRETT AT PRO, EQUINOX 800
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Thank you for the information and response.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top