nail/spike
 

An intriguing little item which needs verifying.
Flat tapered brass nail/spike and which is barbed; on one side is the broad arrow.
Could this be a spike as in 'spiking a gun'? Length 1 1/2"

GTB

First thought is shipbuilding spike/nail :confused:

Size would be very small (and difficult to handle) for spiking guns/cannons. Drawings (and a statue) of guns being 'spiked' show something the size of a railway spike (10-12") being used.

I think a gun spike would be longer, round rather than flat, tapered in order to fit tightly in touch holes of different diameters, notched or serrated and of harder metal than brass or copper.
I'm happy to be corrected it wrong.

I like that little nail, a nice little item.

I think The touch holes are about 5/6mm for cannon's

Must admit I don't know - a flat spike could be more practical for that sort of diameter, easier to snap off?
I've read in the past that bayonets would be used and snapped and that those jacknife marlin spike thingeys for removing boy scouts from horses hooves could also be used.

Must be an artilleryman on forum knows about these things?

Thanks all for your contributions.
Must be an important item for a nail or so to be individually stamped with Arrow! I can understand a tool, however small, being stamped and that may also have been a link in my mind to a cannon/gun spike. Secondly, it could perhaps have to do with boat-building but not currently
GTB

This is telling, from Googling:


A proclamation issued by Charles II in 1661 ran:

And His Majesty doth further command, That on all other Stores, Where it may be done without prejudice to the said Stores, or Charge to His Majesty, as Nails, Spikes, and other the like Stores, that the broad Arrow be put on some part of the same, whether by Stamp, Brand, or other way, as shall be particularly directed by the principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesties Navy, to whom the care thereof is committed.[16]


GTB