Neat Pin, wondering what it was used for

[Dirtgirl]

Wondering if anyone has a idea what this copper pin was used for. Weighs 4oz 3 1/2 inches long. I found it detecting at low tide in RI.

Thanks-

 

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[chrisplay2004]

Looks like a copper trailer hitch pin...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Being copper I'd say it was boat related. Possibly a rudder gudgeon pin.

You put a clip or cotter pin in the lower hole so that if you capsize (or flip the boat over on deck of the "mother ship" or ashore) the rudder doesn't slip off.

 

[johnnyblaze]

I would say it is from a very old large ship..

Being that big and appears to be hand-forged copper...


Blaze

 

[Dirtgirl]

Thanks for the input!

 

[mikusek]

Looks to me like Charlie P was quick to nail it......

 

[johnnyblaze]

Looks to me like Charlie P was quick to nail it......

Not so sure

Copper is very soft and would probably break from the force of the water

Im thinking more like a 18th century rope rigging pin..

Blaze

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looks old and polished by the waves.

 

[Dirtgirl]

It does look polished. I also found a neat old bottle which was full of cracks in the same hole along with what I thought was some kind of cork but its a round rock perfect circle.

I have contacted a friend who is from IYRS / International Yacht restoration School. I sent a few pictures and I am hoping to hear back.

 

[Reverend B*IKE*]

I also think Charlie may be on the right track. I believe older pins did not have the Bronze or Brass alloy mixture content of more modern marine alloys. There may be a bit of zinc or tin in that copper pin? Mikusek is correct in its fragilness! if it were pure copper !

 

[TerryC]

I have a large sailboat. Stainless is the preferred metal for gudgeons and pintels. MUCH OLDER boats may have used copper fittings as "jury rig" repairs. Not uncommon. I would go with Charlie's thoughts EXCEPT the pintel usually has at least two projections that screw to both sides of the rudder material. TTC

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

That's the gudgeons. The pintle is the hinge-pin that the gudgeons pivot on.

I'm not totally unfamiliar with sailboats. Have been sailing since the 70's, had a 34 footer on Lake Ontario, have built and restored wooden sailboats and currently sail a 31 footer.

But yes, it's still a guess until someone definitavely finds an example in use.

 

[TerryC]

Thanks for the spelling, Charlie. Been awhile since using highly specific words like that. Yes, the pintle is a pin... on my boat, and many, screwed to the rudder. Broke my upper pintle one day while out in a blow. Also, blew out my tan bark sails (beautiful color) twice. I LOVED heavy weather sailing. First year I owned my Prairie, I logged 270 days off Titusville. Love boating. TTC