What kind of gizmo is this?

[Tigerdude]

Found at civil war campground. Could be farm tractor related also.

 

[creskol]

looks like a picture hanger

 

[CRUSADER]

Thats the 4th marker for a Gunter's Chain:
Rushden Research Group: The Gunter's Chain for Land Measurement (rushdenheritage.co.uk)

 

[Underwonder]

Thats the 4th marker for a Gunter's Chain:
Rushden Research Group: The Gunter's Chain for Land Measurement (rushdenheritage.co.uk)

Amazing ID!

 

[Red-Coat]

Thats the 4th marker for a Gunter's Chain:
Rushden Research Group: The Gunter's Chain for Land Measurement (rushdenheritage.co.uk)

Learn something new every day. Thanks Crusader.

 

[Mackaydon]

Outstanding ID Cru !
Don.....

 

[CRUSADER]

Cheers, had a few, probably got a whole set by now. I don't like owning things I can't ID, hence the knowledge.

 

[desertexplorer]

Great ID!

 

[Trimbaker]

wonder if it was part of a whip, a "cat of nine tails" made to scar the flesh. nope ...the chain marker is it. great find!

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Thats the 4th marker for a Gunter's Chain:
Rushden Research Group: The Gunter's Chain for Land Measurement (rushdenheritage.co.uk)

Great id - sure enough..., but my guess was the outside edge of early mountain climbers' boots, an iron-hobnail attempt to get better traction on the terrain, wet logs, mossy-covered rocks, etc. An extent of the idea would be the nails in bottoms of logger's boots ("caulks" or "corks") - I wore 'em for years in steep, brush and/or tree-covered slopes of the PNW.