Wrought iron piece I cannot identify

[BamaBill]

I found this piece on ground next to what was an early to mid 1800's main road. Its about 4" long and in really good shape for a piece of iron (that's why I'm sure its wrought iron). Any ideas what it was off of?

 

[johnnyi]

Bill, is there any chance that weak point on the left side might be a bend from a link being pulled straight, and that this might have been a forged link which was pulled too hard and broke?

 

[sniffer]

looks like part of an old chain that was stretched and then broke

 

[BamaBill]

Yep, the chainlink idea has sprung to mind. Now to do some research on the range of dates it might be from.

 

[sniffer]

it does look like it was hammered in a forge, but that could be because of the rust and condition