Interesting Iron item from Rev War Camp

[smokeythecat]

This is from one of General Sullivan's camps along the Susquehanna from 1779. It is about 5" overall length. The larger square shank is 3.5" long. Note the bow on the two top pieces. It is hand forged, is is possibly a forged oar guide to a boat? Ideas appreciated. Its one of those "I know what this is" items.



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[ARC]

Perhaps part of a "spit".

 

[BLK HOLE]

I like the idea that it is an Oar Guide, is there any water nearby that would require them to have boats?

 

[smokeythecat]

AARC, that is a good guess but the end of the bottom is somewhat tapered, not broken, and most spits I have seen were just wood sticks with ramrods stuck between them, you could be right.

 

[ARC]

Wellllll... let me go way out further on a limb...



Linstock

 

[ARC]

Similar... but not limited to...

This...

 

[Hawks88]

Similar... but not limited to...

This...

View attachment 1726588

I think this could be correct.

 

[ARC]

Well at least someone liked that one :P

 

[Megalodon]

An oarlock on an 18th C wherry or other small vessel would have creaked in use and may not have been a wise choice if stealth was needed when making a crossing. The creaking noise would have required grease for the socket and muffling in the form of cloth or leather around the shaft of the oar. I guess I'm saying "not sure" but skeptical about it being an oarlock for a military operation.

Seems a bit small to be a yoke for a swivel gun or small signal cannon.

 

[Goldiver]

Its a stretch but maybe a broken up shot gauge?

 

[smokeythecat]

All those guesses are great. I thought linstock. It absolutely would have been set in wood and very possible the ends were broken off as from plow damage. Cannon balls were found 100 yards away some years ago. The river is 80' away.

Any ideas why the prongs are angled? I am thinking linstock now also.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

I was looking at that angel and it made me think of a long Mexican spur or even a medieval style. I was going to upload a picture, but I can’t find where I saved it to

 

[smokeythecat]

Joe-Dirt that idea also crossed my mind. There was a big American indian presence here in to 1600-1779 time frame, Iroquois, who did a lot of trading with the French out of Canada. The longer piece is 1/2" square with a tapered end. The short pieces are 1/4" in diameter.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Maybe not this ornate but you get the idea

 

[smokeythecat]

If so, it would be a very crude American made one. I don't think these Indians ever learned to forge iron.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Not to get off topic Smokey, but have you even seen a small buckle made of tomback? I have one posted in today’s finds I was wondering about if you could have look see please and thank you!!

 

[Joe-Dirt]

I’m sure there was someone willing to make “cheap” iron versions for trade, no?

 

[Goldiver]

Joe-Dirt that idea also crossed my mind. There was a big American indian presence here in to 1600-1779 time frame, Iroquois, who did a lot of trading with the French out of Canada. The longer piece is 1/2" square with a tapered end. The short pieces are 1/4" in diameter.View attachment 1726648

It does resemble a spur from that angle.

 

[smokeythecat]

Nailed it. I have a few friends who, between them have over a century and more of collecting knowledge and saw them at the Gettysburg show today. Linstock for a Rev War cannon, a small cannon like a swivel gun. Happy dance.

 

[CRUSADER]

Maybe not this ornate but you get the idea

That was going to be my guess, seen loads of iron spurs similar. Although that kind of crude prick spur where normally early Medieval!