Square nail age and purpose?

[JohnDee1]

I posted this in the today’s finds section but I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it. Nowhere near a railroad track. Could anyone hedge a guess about its purpose and age? Thanks!

 

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[creskol]

I don't think it is a nail .. it looks more like a crudely made leg & foot broken off of something .. a support of some kind.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I find these often on early 19thc farm sites, usually in the fields.
I've always assumed that they were blacksmith-made hardware for the wagons.

I'm detecting an 1840s site now that had a barn, but no house and I've found a few of these there.
Dave

 

[JohnDee1]

Thanks for the responses y’all. Both seem possible, I guess with mangled iron you never know.

 

[JohnDee1]

Thanks for the responses y’all. Both seem possible, I guess with mangled iron you never know.