Spanish? Bolt for small fowl hunting crossbow?

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Dana
I take it that you are sure that this bronze piece was excavated in Florida.
Judging by its forms and patina, i woud presume it is way (extremely?) older than the Spanish arrival in America. Bolts from the 14-16th century didn't have such smooth (harmoneous) lines and were usualy made of iron ... and would hardly have such fantastic patina.
If it weren't for the Florida provenance, i would within my ignorance guess that this would be an object of the bronze age ... you know, the Luristan type of stuff.
But i am just playing the smart

.

You are so right Fernando, it is a puzzle. You never know were something really came from even if you find it yourself. A friend tells me he dug this up during the late 60s in St Augustine Florida. My father purchased it from him and it ended up in my collection.

There are Indian copper artifacts from North America, but it doesn't resemble any of those that I have found so far.
see: http://copperculture.homestead.com/