Really old toe tap. I think

[LostinGeorgia]

Can’t read the last numbers on the toe tap but think it is 185? Trying to find out more. Maybe when I clean it a little better. Good luck everybody

 

[robertk]

I didn't even realize those had (or could have) dates on them. Neat!

 

[villagenut]

Danged if that ain't the same "screwy lookin things" I had been finding a while back....posted them under that title in the what's it forum and was informed that they were boot sole fasteners. Well, now I can see them in action there on your toe tap. Very cool to see how they were utilized. Thanks for posting!

 

[Robot]

The ,
Nailed TheCannonballGuy,

Nailed this in his post https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/civil-war-toe-tap-plz-help.633507/#post-6502668


"The Answer to your question, "Is this a civil war toe tap?" is... maybe yes, maybe no. Here's the explanation of that answer.
The specific version of shoe-toe-protector you found was invented and patented in 1859. (Patent date is November 29, 1859, see the photo below.) Ones made during the 14-year life of that US Patent had to be marked with an anti-copying notification saying "Patent" or "Patented" along with the date. Because the one you found has the Patent marking, it was made sometime between 1859 and 1873. So, MAYBE yours was made during the civil war years, and maybe it wasn't."

Attachments​

• 
  shoe-toe-protector_marked-Pat-Nov29-1859_toeprotector.jpg
  131.8 KB · Views: 45

 

[LostinGeorgia]

Danged if that ain't the same "screwy lookin things" I had been finding a while back....posted them under that title in the what's it forum and was informed that they were boot sole fasteners. Well, now I can see them in action there on your toe tap. Very cool to see how they were utilized. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for the info

 

[Trezurehunter]

Neat find, I don't know how many of those things I threw away before I researched and found out what they were. Shame on me ! Guess I should do the research and THEN throw things away .

 

[Digger RJ]

Can’t read the last numbers on the toe tap but think it is 185? Trying to find out more. Maybe when I clean it a little better. Good luck everybody

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Lenrac2]

Cool! Never seen one with the nails intact!

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Very cool! Nice find!