Found Near Civil War Battlefield

[Valley Ranger]

Found this item recently near some Civil War activity. My buddy thinks maybe part of a strap hinge. Possible, but I'm not so sure. What do y'all think?

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Broken spring arm from a Victor style leg-hold trap.



http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34229/34229-h/34229-h.htm

 

[Valley Ranger]

Yep, for sure! Thanks! So, late 19th - mid 20th century?

Broken spring arm from a Victor style leg-hold trap.

View attachment 1192332

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Steel Traps by A. R. Harding

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Impossible to say. I have some in my barn that look just like that, a little less rusty, and are "recently used" though 60 years old or even more.

But yes, they have been around since well before the Civil War . . . to right now. The steel is highly tempered, but it is still steel and will degrade quickly in the soil depending on conditions. I'm a coin shooter and don't really know how to date or judge steel relics.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Impossible to say. I have some in my barn that look just like that, a little less rusty, and are "recently used" though 60 years old or even more.

But yes, they have been around since well before the Civil War . . . to right now. The steel is highly tempered, but it is still steel and will degrade quickly in the soil depending on conditions. I'm a coin shooter and don't really know how to date or judge steel relics.

Thanks Charlie! By the way, I love your tagline!

 

[sutphin]

I HAVE THE SAME ITEM AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TONGUE LATCH TO A BOX OR TRUNK BUT CHUCK I SAY YOU MAY HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER FOR IT SURE LOOKS LIKE IT.