🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Unknown Iron Object, Louisiana

[JBlaine]

Hey all,

My friend has said someone found this object in their garden, along with an identical one. There are no maker's marks or anything. Any ideas on what it could be? I've tried archaeologist friends and the State Archaeologist and no one seems to have any idea what it is. Measurements are roughly 3 x 8 inches. Precise location unknown but in Louisiana.

JBlaine

 

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[Mud Hut]

What does the other side look like?

 

[RustyGold]

Specialty Wood plane? Possibly for arrow shafts?

 

[JBlaine]

What does the other side look like?

The other side is identical. I am able to separate the two pieces. I attached a photo of them separated.

 

[JBlaine]

Specialty Wood plane? Possibly for arrow shafts?

I don't think so. It seems like a sort of latch or locking mechanism. The two parts separate and it appears to have some sort of pin hole in the middle.

 

[Mud Hut]

They look like swing-away harness hooks used in tack rooms.

 

[JBlaine]

They look like swing-away harness hooks used in tack rooms.

Both of these pieces join together. There is no way for them to really be mounted to a wall. It honestly seems like a locking mechanism for a gate or something of the sort but I haven't been able to find identical parallels in any of the archaeological or contemporary material that I've been able to get my hands on.

 

[Mud Hut]

Both of these pieces join together. There is no way for them to really be mounted to a wall. It honestly seems like a locking mechanism for a gate or something of the sort but I haven't been able to find identical parallels in any of the archaeological or contemporary material that I've been able to get my hands on.

How do you know they were made to fit together? It looks like each piece has its own tapered screw hole indicating that each one had its own wood mounting screw.

 

[JBlaine]

How do you know they were made to fit together?

Both examples found were retrieved in pairs, rusted together in the same manner.