🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Hand Forged Spike (Pick?) With A Hole Drilled Through It?

[USNFLYR]

I finally cleaned the rust bubbles and dirt from this small spike/nail and discovered a hole was intentionally drilled into its lower portion. I have collected many railroad, barn and cabin spikes….as well as Civil War tent spikes….but this one with a small hole as part of the design, is a first for me. Also, this one looks to be curved. The close up on the "head" shows that originally it might have been affixed (not part of the same slab of iron)? It was found an area near a river that had homesteads dating to colonial times, Civil War soldiers passing through and later a brickworks operation. I have researched and can't find an image of one like this. Maybe this was a "pick" of some sort, and a chain or thin rope connected to it? I have seen spikes/nails curved but does any know the approximate age and/or use of this….or can anyone explain the whole "hole" thing?

 

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[Robot]

Hi USNFLYR,
What I think you have is: Good old American innovation!
I believe it is both a Chisel Spike which can be used as a Wood Auger?

 

[USNFLYR]

Hi USNFLYR,
What I think you have is: Good old American innovation!
I believe it is both a Chisel Spike which can be used as a Wood Auger?


View attachment 2136565View attachment 2136566

Wow. I hadn’t thought of that! Off to the inner web to check it out. Thanks!

 

[DizzyDigger]

Another consideration is that the spike was a retainer, and the hole was used for a clevis pin of some type.

 

[USNFLYR]

Another consideration is that the spike was a retainer, and the hole was used for a clevis pin of some type.

Also a good possibility.

 

[ticndig]

spike tooth cultivator

 

[bowwinkles]

Out of the many projects developed over time I would say that maybe it was first a RR spike. https://duckduckgo.com/?t=h_&q=flattened+rr+spike&iax=images&ia=images