Actually found this last year,went through a bucket of Iron and junk today and did a double take.Put it under electrolysis for a few hour's.I think it's a pretty much perfect match....Definetley has the era.
I think you're right! I found a spoon in 3 perfect fit pieces once. They were over 1 foot down in the ground. There was a 3 ring minie right beside the pieces so I know it was period.
Mike