HELP ! WHAT IS IT ?

[DIGITMAN]

I did some metal detecting at a wyatt earp camp site , found this metal stake and a iron pan. so maybe a tent stake for his canvas tent ? but cannot find anything like it on antique tent stakes , and no its not an engine valve. its 9 1/4 inches. see pix

 

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[creskol]

Maybe the remains of a surveyor's chain spike.

 

[ARC]

Almost looks like a cigarette vending machine pull arm without the knob... but ?

Found a similar "spike" looking item ... but this one pictured has a "barb".

An "awl" missing its handle ?

A line marker stake / spike ?

 

[PaddyB]

Certainly looks to me as if it should run through a handle of some sort - as an awl or similar. Is there any sign of breakage at the point?

 

[d2]

First thing that came to mind was a picket pin but it appears to be awful small...d2

 

[Icewing]

It looks like a ramrod for an old black powder pistol.

 

[DIGITMAN]

well the tip is not broke off and its weird how its really taperd toward the head and slightly toward the tip....should i clean the hell out of it to see if any marks or writing on it ??

 

[Icewing]

I wouldn't go overboard on the abrasives, or chemicals, but cleaning off the crud would be fine, perhaps even electrolysis would help.

Notice the ramrods attached to the bottom sides of the old flintlocks, I'm pretty sure that what you have.
Off of exactly which gun I don't have a clue.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=flintlock+pistol+ramrod&FORM=HDRSC2&PC=MOZB

 

[DCMatt]

Spindle from a yarn winder?

 

[thekspapa]

At first I thought of a horse hobble since you call it a camp. But I didn't find anything that resembled it. So I thought " what else would you stake down?" And I came up with this. Idk

A stake for a trap?

 

[DIGITMAN]

ya interesting..a stake for a trap? But the taperd head seems a weak area. well i put it to a wire brush and noticed lines running down the lenght of it ..did not see any other marks see pix, it does look like very old metal.

 

[l.cutler]

I don't know what it is, but it is definitely not a ramrod. The groove around it makes it look like it may have had some kind of "O" ring or leather seal around it?

 

[DIGITMAN]

ok thanks well i guess it is an unsolved mystery.........