What is this? Found in yard

[july1962]

A friend found a whole bunch of these in his yard. Not sure if it's an antique, though. He says it's made of copper.

[mart]

Size ?? What are the lines on the left ?? How thick is it ??  Describe it if you can !!

[july1962]

He says it's about an inch long, so that wouldn't make it very thick. The lines on the left appear to be bendable prongs of some type.

[bigwull]

looks like the remains of a cleat..that was used to peg a cable to the wall....hence the bendy bits on the end...

[july1962]

That sounds logical. Someone else guessed that it was used to tie vines to a trellis. I tried to google it to find some photos, but couldn't find anything.

[mart]

At that size couldn't tie much !!

[bigwull]

At that size couldn't tie much !!

but it may have been bigger ...at some point

[mart]

Is the house brick ??  Could have been intended to go into the mortar joints with the bendy things sticking out,, then the cable or wire would be twisted around and secured with those !!

[KC]

I have had some "similar" to espalier plants in the past.

Copper ones are generally used to set up a barrier (with the addition of copper wiring) around perimeters of garden areas...slugs can't cross them...they melt like the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz!

[bigwull]

Is the house brick ??  Could have been intended to go into the mortar joints with the bendy things sticking out,, then the cable or wire would be twisted around and secured with those !!

cheaters are needing replaced...see post 3

[mart]

You remember the V-8 commercial Wullie ?? I am going to give you a V-8 moment !!!  I was agreeing with you but elaborating on how it possibly was used !!  At 1 inch in size I am trying to figure how they are big enough to use in espalier !!!

[july1962]

Yes, the house is brick.

Is the house brick ??  Could have been intended to go into the mortar joints with the bendy things sticking out,, then the cable or wire would be twisted around and secured with those !!

[KC]

I used brick clips to train a pyracantha up the side of the our brick home.  Unfortunately, lightening stuck our home and any shrub touching the house was fried!    But insurance paid big bucks for the "espaliered" plants (had to have a certified arborist come in appraise age/values on them and the trees close to our home that were fried and died overnight!)

[cogar]

Is the house brick ??  Could have been intended to go into the mortar joints ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Which made me think they could be "bricklaying ties" for holding the bricks against the side of house.

[mart]

KC ,, that may be it since they are so small (1 inch) !!  That would allow the copper wire to be at ground level for slugs !!   Where were these found in the yard ?? Around a flower or vegetable garden, porch, steps ?? Slugs like concrete areas for the dampness !!