Old Knife Perhaps??

[raymondj]

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would share this find with you and see what your thoughts are. Found wedged between two rocks on the Australian Victorian goldfields of 1851. It appears to have been shaped from a rather large horse shoe and fits the hand nicely. The point is very sharp and the blade has been honed. Appreciate your thoughts on what it was used for.

 

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[bzbadger]

Certainly looks like they made a knife out of it, like a hawksbill knife good for just about anything but great for skinning.

 

[UnderMiner]

Looks like a rudimentary hoof pick. Because of their availability used horseshoes were commonly used by blacksmiths to fashion simple tools.
Here are a pair of modern examples that look very similar to yours: Horse Shoe Hoof Picks -for sale by darknight-sky on DeviantArt

 

[raymondj]

Certainly looks like they made a knife out of it, like a hawksbill knife good for just about anything but great for skinning.

Thanks...They sure do look like that..

 

[HistoryHunter22]

Deff looks like something along the lines to do with a horseshoe

 

[sutphin]

It looks to be a adjustable plow point for plowing,vanzutphen

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I think it is part to an old farm implement to rip up ground.One of the ripping teeth.

 

[HistoryHunter22]

Ding ding ding i think we might have a winner!!!!

 

[maxpower]

looks like a bolo tine

 

[bzbadger]

Has to be from a horseshoe as you can see the holes are recessed to accept the square nail heads without leaving exposed nail heads causing the term "roughshod". Also if it were a plow why the holes and especially why would they put holes that are recessed in the digging part of the blade which could weaken it. It could very well be a horse hoof pick but doubtful a plow blade. Just my opinion