Old plow blade on abandoned wagon trail, help with possible date?

[MrMarsHill]

I found this on top of an 8' boulder just off the side of an abandoned wagon trail on my property. I've found several others, closer to an old dump site, but those were more modern looking and marked with patents etc. This looks to be hand forged, but I am not sure. I know some of the more modern plow blades I've found date to around the 1880's but I wonder if there is any way to tell if this one is older? I am working hard to find out when these roads were being used and all I have to go on are the relics I find. Any help is appreciated!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Every year I find at least one of these in the fields, determining an exact age is challenging.
I don't think the one you found is blacksmith-made though, looks like it's been cast in a mold.

It also looks to have been exposed to the outside elements for years due to pitting in the metal which makes it look older.
If I had to take a guess at it's age, I'd say sometime after 1900.

Dave

 

[creskol]

About all I can tell you is that this type of "shovel" was used on a horse drawn plow and a heel bolt was used to hold them in place. What is a heel bolt you say? It was a bolt with a wing loop on that allowed the nut to be loosened or tightened with a hammer or other striking tool, or by inserting something in the loop. Every now and then you see somebody post a nut they found for an ID.
Below is a picture of a heel bolt:

 

[MrMarsHill]

I forgot I ever posted this and rediscovered it while looking at ALL my started threads just now. Still want to thank you for your opinions and I will say I agree on ID and I believe your age guess is as good as any lol! I've found several more like this and some different, but very similar items. I believe I have a few rust encrusted Field bolts as you showed as well. Makes even more sense I guess! I have anytime access to this site and the areas around it... I wont have any shortage of finds to post over the years! I've found and posted some of the actual blacksmith made stuff and other treasures(cool junk) I've found on this property. I'm still waiting for something really rare or valuable to pop up... but the sheer amount of interesting finds is more than enough to keep me hunting here for years to come! Again, I appreciate the replies... even though I am more than a tad late on my reply haha!

 

[bowwinkles]

I believe that that is a blade of what was called a cultivator horse drawn.