✅ SOLVED Little screwy lookin things

[villagenut]

Had found several of these on a sifting site dating to the 1840s. Was a blacksmith shop then a third Seminole war camp and then a general store site in the 1860 to 1880 period. They look like threads you see on screws but I question this attribution as they are all cut and without a beginning point. They are brass and I might add that this site has had no screws or screw heads found at. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

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[Older The Better]

Maybe not an exciting explanation but, sometimes a screw is too long and you gotta clip/break off the end so it doesn’t stick out. Maybe you just got onto a spot someone was doing a little project.

 

[digger dug]

looks like pieces of rebar to me

 

[pepperj]

Maybe not an exciting explanation but, sometimes a screw is too long and you gotta clip/break off the end so it doesn’t stick out. Maybe you just got onto a spot someone was doing a little project.

I agree with the cut the long screw off theory (done it myself)

(Just thinking out loud here-on ideas)

Though looking at the 6 pieces the threads are evenly spaced, and are of the same diameter.
Most wood screws are tapered start(tip), or a tapered shaft even.

Machine screw would be even diameter along the whole shaft.

What throws me is they look cut on both ends and the thread spacing is really wide.

I was thinking these might be a dowel-but they usually have an opposing thread going in another direction at the half way point.

 

[pepperj]

looks like pieces of rebar to me

The OP stated they were brass
Rebar is steel or stainless steel

 

[villagenut]

Yes, I At first thought they were cut off screws but there is not a tip as Pepperj pointed out. They are course threaded, but they are continuous threads, unlike rebar...and very small as seen next to a half dime. I will have to double check if they are cut on both ends.

 

[villagenut]

This is what 5hey remind me of....

 

[CRUSADER]

looks like pieces of rebar to me

agreed

 

[pepperj]

looks like pieces of rebar to me

agreed

unlike rebar...and very small as seen next to a half dime.

I still ? rebar folks-might look like it-but from looking at enough rebar in life, I haven't seen any made of brass, too soft.
Though there is silicon bronze rebar stated-but I can't find a reference to the invention of such a product.

 

[Older The Better]

Brass rebar seems an unnecessary expense, if it’s even made, it usually comes rusty from the yard anyway I don’t think that’s a spot where material quality is a factor. The piece of a tuning peg is interesting but seems very long… I’ve got a wire straightener somewhere that has three rollers that are very similar but I’m not thinking that… focusing on the brass, if it is construction related maybe it’s something that needs to be spark free?

 

[cudamark]

Clean a couple for better photos and some close ups of each end.

 

[villagenut]

Well I have tried to get better pics......but my tablet I am using as of late, has no macro setting. I played with the idea that it was one piece that got cut into six.....but using my loupe i can see that each one has an uncut flat end and the other ends are cut. Perhaps they were machine threaded bolts that had excess cut off as suggested. It would seem that the matching nut would have had the same course thread.. I don't think cutting off the excess would be a good idea as it would only be on the screws by one turn. It may just be an unsolved mystery.....

 

[villagenut]

Definitely not rebar btw

 

[ARC]

Well now... there is something weird... new and interesting.

VN... cn you loupe em again as to see if they have been hacksawed... IE: Striations etc.

 

[villagenut]

They appear to be snipped, as if with pliars....keep in mind their diameter is not much more than a pencil lead as shown in post #1 compared to a US half dime.

 

[Sandog]

Worm gear/drive?

 

[Retired Sarge]

Worm gear/drive?

I was thinking the last same thing, but didn't voice it.....

 

[fyrffytr1]

The way they are bent makes me think they were bent back and forth until they broke. And, being brass gives me cause to wonder if they might be furniture hardware related. Possibly drawer handle pull attaching screws that were broke off on the inside of the drawer?

 

[ARC]

They appear to be snipped, as if with pliars....keep in mind their diameter is not much more than a pencil lead as shown in post #1 compared to a US half dime.

Sheesh... and i never looked at what i just assumed was a quarter.... beings so small... gotta be a screw.
Although the teeth are reminiscent of a worm drive screw as mentioned.

 

[leadnugget]

i have found a few over the years. i too was not sure what they were till last month i was watching nuggetshooter.
he finds one in this video and explains there use as a way
to hold leather boot/shoes together back in the 1920? or maybe older
the sole would have these hammered in and i think head clipped off.
explanation at 1:27 in the video