Cannonball Guy - Odd looking iron (tool?) recovered from earthworks . . .

[parsonwalker]

Not sure if the trenches are Union or Confederate. This was deep in the trench. Hole in end is rectangular slot, or much elongated oval. Odd. Anybody have an idea? CBGuy - you helped me so much on the Maryland Cross Pin, thought I'd bother you again . . .

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Parsonwalker, since you asked specifically for me to comment:
I cannot give you a specific ID for the object. I can only tell you what it "resembles." At first glance, it kinda-sorta resembles a small (5.25"-long) "specialty" hammer... for example, a barrelsmith's or tinsmith's hammer. But its head is extremely small in relation to the thickness of the handle. Also, the other end of the handle has a slot through it -- which is NOT a characteristic seen on hammers. For those two reasons (head-size and handle-end slot), I do not think it is some kind of hammer. It appears to be more similar to a linchpin of some kind. The slot through it could be for a "cotterpin" or wire to keep it from sliding out of whatever hole it fit through. Due to its size, it might be a wagon-pole linchpin or wagon-axle linchpin.
Linchpin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

However, I should mention that the analysis above could be incorrect. As I indicated, since I do not know the object's specific ID, all I can do for you is tell what I think the object "resembles." I hope somebody else here will see it and immediately know its specific identity.

 

[Tony in SC]

It does look like an old hitch pin. Some of my hit&miss engines are on wagons or carts that have pins that size. Tony

 

[cw0909]

i was hoping it was a linchpin for a cannon carriage, but i dont see one like it, unless i missed it

US cannon wheels, United States cannon carriage, Wisconsin war cannon parts, Paulson Brothers Ordnance Corporation

 

[Silver Searcher]

It's part of a Man Hole Lifting Key.....

SS

 

[parsonwalker]

Thank you CBG, CW and Tony for the ideas! Silver Searcher, if you are right, (and the google images have some that sure do resemble!) then I'm going to go back and excavate that trench. I believe there must be an elaborate system of underground tunnels holding massive amounts of Confederate gold and it's sealed with manhole covers! (Note to self: Don't forget manhole cover removal key). Seriously, I appreciate all the help.