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Can anybody tell me anything about this?

Dobsd		Posted : Tuesday, 7 April 2015 2:58:34 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 7/04/2015(UTC) Posts: 4 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 1 times		I'm not a metal detector, I actually found this dug deep into my car tyre. I know it isn't worth anything but just interested as to how old it might be? I'm assuming it's a nail, it is about 3" long and where the black and rust has worn away from being driven on, it has revealed bright shiny silver color. This was found in Christchurch but I'm not sure where it first went into my tyre. Thanks! File Attachment(s): image.jpg

Mudwiggle		Posted : Tuesday, 7 April 2015 7:14:25 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		I'd say it's what's left of a very rusty screw. Too much taper for a nail, and has the remains of the countersunk head. Age? I'd guess anything from 6 months to 60 years or so. Depends on where it was when you picked it up in the tyre. Could have fallen out of rotten wood being carted to the tip or off the back of a builders ute. Edited by user Tuesday, 7 April 2015 7:16:31 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

Dobsd		Posted : Tuesday, 7 April 2015 7:29:14 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 7/04/2015(UTC) Posts: 4 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 1 times		Originally Posted by: Mudwiggle I'd say it's what's left of a very rusty screw. Too much taper for a nail, and has the remains of the countersunk head. Age? I'd guess anything from 6 months to 60 years or so. Depends on where it was when you picked it up in the tyre. Could have fallen out of rotten wood being carted to the tip or off the back of a builders ute. Hey, thanks for your reply. I'm pretty sure it isn't a screw. Apart from the rust and the actual construction of it, there are no ridges or marks that would say it was a screw. Also, the top of the head is flat, nowhere for a screwdriver to fit in. Also, the weight of it makes me think it is older. It is surprisingly heavy!

nafcd		Posted : Tuesday, 7 April 2015 8:47:13 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/12/2012(UTC) Posts: 276 Location: ashburton Thanks: 8 times Was thanked: 46 time(s) in 34 post(s)		maybe a horse shoe nail

Mudwiggle		Posted : Tuesday, 7 April 2015 8:56:22 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		Originally Posted by: nafcd maybe a horse shoe nail Not with those dimensions, they are rectangular section and have a different ('T') head. Dobsd, The threads on a screw are thin, with a high surface area and are the first to go. The corrosion at the tip suggests whatever it is, it was in an often wet environment, like rotten timber. The lack of a screw driver slot, is likely due to wear as it hit the road several hundred thousand times while you were driving around. Although a photo of the end would help clarify. I've pulled many things out of tyres, from welding rods to rivets, and even a chip of road metal that went straight through the tyre. I'll stick with rusty screw, or rusty jolt head nail to hedge my bets. Edited by user Tuesday, 7 April 2015 8:57:52 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

creamer		Posted : Tuesday, 7 April 2015 9:05:17 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,022 Location: Bay of Islands Thanks: 2289 times Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)		Lookin very screwish, but investigate it more might be something cool. HS .
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Dobsd		Posted : Wednesday, 8 April 2015 9:12:01 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 7/04/2015(UTC) Posts: 4 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 1 times		Originally Posted by: creamer Lookin very screwish, but investigate it more might be something cool. HS . I did a little research last night and found a document online about William Stokes of Chch, one of the first 'established' nail makers here. The document shows examples of nails produced by this guy's company, and lo and behold, an example of what I think mine is was on there. A 3" floor nail. Looks exactly the same. Pretty cool if it is this as William Stokes was only in business for a few years, 1887 - 1897, so would make it pretty old. I had my carpenter friend have a look at it last night and he's pretty certain it's a nail. Will post a couple more pictures of it.

Dobsd		Posted : Wednesday, 8 April 2015 9:17:47 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 7/04/2015(UTC) Posts: 4 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 1 times		Originally Posted by: Mudwiggle Originally Posted by: nafcd maybe a horse shoe nail Not with those dimensions, they are rectangular section and have a different ('T') head. Dobsd, The threads on a screw are thin, with a high surface area and are the first to go. The corrosion at the tip suggests whatever it is, it was in an often wet environment, like rotten timber. The lack of a screw driver slot, is likely due to wear as it hit the road several hundred thousand times while you were driving around. Although a photo of the end would help clarify. I've pulled many things out of tyres, from welding rods to rivets, and even a chip of road metal that went straight through the tyre. I'll stick with rusty screw, or rusty jolt head nail to hedge my bets. It wasn't in my tyre for very long, only a few minutes. Noticed it straight away as it was noisy. A couple more pictures. Really hard to get one of the end as my camera wouldn't focus on it. File Attachment(s): image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg

creamer		Posted : Wednesday, 8 April 2015 9:58:26 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,022 Location: Bay of Islands Thanks: 2289 times Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)		The new pics put it more into perspective, quite large, must be a nail. HH .
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