✅ SOLVED Hand forged plum bob?

[Hamptonacres]

I was metal detecting and magnet fishing the Dunkirk bridge area on the Mattapony River here in Virginia and found this item. The bridge was burned during the civil war, but was a bridge George Washington used to cross the Mattapony on his way to York Town. General Sheridan built pontoon boats to cross at this spot later during the civil war to cross there on his way to New Castle. At first I thought the item was perhaps a drift bolt from the old bridge, then I thought it could have been a civil war cannon spike. But the hole at the top makes me think it's now some sort of hand forged plum bob. Maybe used to build the Dunkirk bridge? Colonial era? No markings and made of iron. It's 8 inches long. I've searched the net with no luck. Any ideas?

 

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[bowwinkles]

looks like a vintage window weight.

 

[ticndig]

crab pot weight.

 

[GaRebel1861]

looks like a vintage window weight.

That would be my answer as well.

 

[villagenut]

Window weight turned into an anchor for small boat......

 

[GaRebel1861]

Window weight turned into an anchor for small boat......

I’ve seen them used like that as well. When Georgia Power drops the lake levels, it’s not uncommon to find them. Particularly around stumps.

 

[Gene Mean]

I think ticndig nailed it.

 

[Hamptonacres]

Thanks everyone. The town of Dunkirk was defunct by the early 1820s. If it was a window weight it could have been from one of the old homes. If it was a a crab pot weight it would have had to come from a tobacco barge. The Chesapeake is reachable down the Mattaponi river but it's some 70 miles away. Barges did make it down to West point VA, but that was during late British rule to early American Colonial. The area I found the weight is totally fresh water. It could have been dropped from an early barge or boat, but I think when the town of Dunkirk was cleared out to farm the land that items from the site was dumped over the bank along the shore. It's definitely hand forged iron. So I agree, either a crab pot weight or window weight. Thanks for everyone's input.