I think I should know what this is...

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I found this yesterday on the site of a c1820 farm.

It's approx. 2" long x 3/4" wide at the end.
Looks to be made of lead with an iron post through it.

Maybe something from a vintage field seeder, my first thought was a nail to hold slate roof tiles?

Thanks for any thoughts or theories,
Dave

 

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[ARC]

old Roof nail ?

 

[releventchair]

Modern roofing felt/underlayment fasteners for high wind areas in this picture..

 

[villagenut]

I have found similar objects but with porcelain ends. That were choke knobs from old machinery or model Ts.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

I know I’ve seen them on here before, I’m stumped

 

[fyrffytr1]

I don't think it is a nail with that convex back. But. I don't know what it is.

 

[invent4hir]

I don't think it is a nail with that convex back. But. I don't know what it is.

Dave, I agree with fyr regarding the convex back. With that shape and made of lead, it seems like it would seat - perhaps for fluid control(?) Or maybe I'm overthinking it.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Thanks very much for all of your theories guys.
It's difficult to tell from the pics but the 'top' isn't flat... it kind of reminds me of a really small toilet plunger.

Thanks again for all your help,
Dave

 

[creskol]

It reminds me of an old-school chair leg glide.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

It reminds me of an old-school chair leg glide.

“It is best as one grows older to strip oneself of possessions, to shed oneself downward like a tree, to be almost wholly earth before one dies.”

We can take it with us when we die, so me might as well enjoy it while we're here!

 

[firemanphob]

could it be a golf tee from way back?

 

[Reanm8er]

I think you had it right the first time Dave! I think it's a nail for a slate roof. I think the shape of the head is incidental to
plunging the steel shank through the lead disc. Also it would serve to provide a little cushion as you drove it through the
slate and in the end make a great seal against leakage.

Best wishes!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

could it be a golf tee from way back?

You kill me Mike, you really do buddy!

I think you had it right the first time Dave! I think it's a nail for a slate roof. I think the shape of the head is incidental to
plunging the steel shank through the lead disc. Also it would serve to provide a little cushion as you drove it through the
slate and in the end make a great seal against leakage.

Best wishes!

Thanks for your post Phil.
I'm having trouble accepting the fact that it's a nail for a slate roof due to the concave surface that you would hammer.
I'm still leaning towards antique 'agricultural seeding' attachment.
Dave

 

[fyrffytr1]

Slate roof nails were not exposed to weather. They also had a thin flat head so the shingle above would lay flat.With the thickness and shape of this item I am leaning towards a seal or valve of some type.

 

[CRUSADER]

Oil Wick Adjuster?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Slate roof nails were not exposed to weather. They also had a thin flat head so the shingle above would lay flat.With the thickness and shape of this item I am leaning towards a seal or valve of some type.

This is what I'm thinking as well... "a seal or valve of some type"
With the amount of fields I hunt, I'm surprised I've never found anything like this before.

Thanks very much for your theory fyrffytr1,
Dave

Oil Wick Adjuster?

I've collected early oil and fluid burning lamps for years and I've never seen anything like this before.
Unless it came from a 'Duplex' type wick adjuster, but that would put it well into the 3rd quarter of 19thc and this site was clearly gone by the 1850s.

Thanks Cru,
Dave

 

[Hawks88]

I believe what you have is a vintage upholstery tack. The decorative piece that covers the disk end is missing.

 

[fistfulladirt]

Flux capacitor? Well maybe not. I agree with vintage golf tee.

 

[BIGSCOTT]

lead head nail

 

[Plug N Play]

Kind of like a brake shoe clip ?