Found this square-sided spike, about 11" long. lying flat 6" or so deep in an old schoolyard. Guessing since it was flat it got pulled and thrown in the grass and never picked up. Was something like this ever used for a circus or carnival etc. tent? The other pieces are from the same location. No idea on the oval loop/hook iron piece. The other almost looks like a piece with trigger loop from a toy pistol or rifle but probably isn't. I'm keeping these because they are kinda cool but knowing what they were would make them more significant to me.
Square spike plus mystery metal
- Thread starter Iggyks
- Start date
bdu1962
Senior Member
Your oval hook thing in the second picture is a hook off of a single tree.
I have found large spikes like this at the larger old cellar holes from the mid to late 1800's. I believe it was probably used in the construction of the house, not sure if was was used for large post and beam work or what. I do know that I have only found them in or around the lip of the cellar holes for some reason.
Thanks! It might even predate the school, which was built in 1910. Or they used a team in the construction maybe.
Thanks!
SoOregonMd
Elite Member
Well it is an awfully long "nail" so I am assuming it had to be used on a very wide board.. perhaps a joist or ceiling beam. Either way very nice Spike.. I would love to find one
Thanks!!
DanMcG
Forum Supporter
First thing I thought of when I saw the spike is it's a concrete form spike, to hold the forms in place while placing the concrete in a foundation or sidewalk.
That would make sense, the school had a curved concrete sidewalk in front of it. Thanks!
Lawnwalker15
Senior Member
I have found three four sided "spikes" virtually identical to yours.....all were in my yard right next to my 1860 stone foundation house. A little research has me convinced they were stone cutting/splitting tools. Get online and look up "plug and feathers"....
Will do!!
