What is this spike for/from?

[MossRoad]

That's a Texas finishing nail.

Hahhahaha!!! Good one!

 

[Cliff_Johns]

I'm with DocHeb, timber frame mortise/tenon drift pin, most likely?

No, not that. Drift pins are smooth and round. If you used this as a drift pin, the "wings" would cut into the relish of the joint and dammage it. There is no reason to have the "wings" on a drift pin.

Cliff

 

[BTDT]

Vampire eradicator.


I wonder if it is some type of metal working tool. Drive it down in a wooden bench, stump/block, then with the rounded part up, use a hammer to shape metal that is held down over the rounded crown. Interesting piece. Maybe post picture of it to an antiques tool site and see if anyone there knows what it is.

 

[charlz]

Tapered versus pointed so I think that rules out some type of timber nail. Round head means it is not easily removed and leaves a 'nice' finish. Tapers more right before the head.

I was thinking it is mean to be driven into the end of a log etc., with the grain. Maybe to expand the tenon in a mortise? or otherwise 'flare' the end of a piece of wood for a good fit etc.?

 

[Lasgambler]

I have been keeping up with this thread hoping to see a difinitive answer, as I love to collect old tools. Since no one has come up with the answer, I decided it was time for my 2 cents. I agree with the thought of a Benchmark or used for property corner markers. Looks nicer than the #5 rebar I have seen to mark property corners in the southwest.

 

[SnowRidge]

I have been keeping up with this thread hoping to see a difinitive answer, as I love to collect old tools. Since no one has come up with the answer, I decided it was time for my 2 cents. I agree with the thought of a Benchmark or used for property corner markers. Looks nicer than the #5 rebar I have seen to mark property corners in the southwest.

I looked at pictures of old property markers and didn't see anything like this, although one possible explanation would be a temporary traverse marker that was intended to be picked up when the survey was complete.

 

[RollTideRam]

Surely someone has the answer that hits the nail on the head. JC

 

[farmerjim]

after looking some more at the pic i now don't think its a railroad spike. i was working in an old 1800's mill the other day and there were some metal plates at a joint in the wooden beams and columns that had some big spike holding the metal plates to the beams the heads of the spikes looked similar but i couldn't see the rest so who knows.

 

[judgeroybeanbag]

Looks like a heavy-duty tent stake.

 

[anthonyk]

A toothpick for a VERY big man...? )