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Old 29th June 2016, 06:34 PM   #20
Jim McDougall
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
A CATTLE BRANDING IRON.
Good one Ibrahiim!!!
Actually, some time ago we were examining a Spanish colonial item which appeared to be a lance head (which I would consider with this if there was a socket). Said item turned out to be an ox goad (Simmons and Turley, 1980, p.87). While of course in some degree disappointing, it must be remembered that on these frontiers, even the most pedestrian and utilitarian items also served as weapons as required. There remains the admittedly remote possibility that this might have been a blacksmith 'test' project, however iron was a precious commodity and typically recycled as required, so that may discount this idea.

*"Southwestern Colonial Ironwork", Simmons & Turley, 1980, is an outstanding resource!!
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