Saddle Rings?

[Swartzie]

I assume these are saddle rings, but I'd like a confirmation or any other possibilities. The one has been cleaned via electrolysis. The other two are in their original state. Any guesses as to how old they are? They were dug on a mixed site containing a range of finds from a utilized flint flake and pewter spoon handle to early 1900's stuff.

Thanks for looking.
-Swartzie

 

[Kieth-Tx]

I would think a hand forged ring like that would be impossible to date...but rings like that had many uses. Have seen them on everything from saddles to hitching posts to yokes. I don't mind digging them because typically it lets you know your in an old area that hasn't been hit hard.

 

[vayank54]

I would think a hand forged ring like that would be impossible to date...but rings like that had many uses. Have seen them on everything from saddles to hitching posts to yokes. I don't mind digging them because typically it lets you know your in an old area that hasn't been hit hard.

Agree.
We've always just called them harness rings.

 

[Swartzie]

I would think a hand forged ring like that would be impossible to date...but rings like that had many uses. Have seen them on everything from saddles to hitching posts to yokes. I don't mind digging them because typically it lets you know your in an old area that hasn't been hit hard.

Just curious. How can you tell if something is hand forged or not?
-Swartzie

 

[Breezie]

I would think a hand forged ring like that would be impossible to date...but rings like that had many uses. Have seen them on everything from saddles to hitching posts to yokes. I don't mind digging them because typically it lets you know your in an old area that hasn't been hit hard.

Just curious. How can you tell if something is hand forged or not?
-Swartzie

Swatzie, I think this is an excellent question. Here's a pic of one of my rings; is this one hand forged? Breezie

 

[lastleg]

Take off the rust to see if there are small flat places where the blacksmith's
hammer struck the metal. Use a dremel sander.

 

[truckinbutch]

At 7 oclock left and 5 oclock right lower rings you can see more oxidation buildup where the
rings were forge welded together . This is typical in old handforged artifacts .

 

[truckinbutch]

Breezie ,
1 3/4 " mark is where your ring was forge welded .
Jim

 

[Breezie]

Breezie ,
1 3/4 " mark is where your ring was forge welded .
Jim

Thanks TButch! Do you think this is horse tack, wagon related, or what? Breezie