Bought some land in Delta County. Old abandoned house on property. Digging through an old dresser, found a wooden box. Inside the box, wrapped in an old handkerchief, found two metal points that were designed for fishing. They look really old, like american indian old. Strange part is that the rope was still solidly attached. The only thing I can think of is it was found a long time ago (100 years?) and has been in that box ever since. Anybody got any ideas how old they might be?

Interesting find. I think the larger one is actually a spear rather than an arrow. I'd take these to the archaeology dept of your local university to see if anyone has more background for you.

I don't think those arrowheads but rather harpoons.

This^^^

And Im far from a historian, but didn't know any of the Indians used iron.

Neat find. Is the base of the one on the right hollow, so as to be mounted on a shaft?

This

Very cool find

The metal is Hoop Iron and came from the barrel hoops that the earliest settlers to Texas brought with them and the heavier points and spears came fron the metal wagon wheel ring. The metal became sought after in raids on the settlers and this only lasted a few years as the gun finally made its way into the Indians hands. Hoop iron was used most likley in the 1820- 1850 era and that appears what you have and a very neat part of history. Most of the metal points just rusted away. Would love to have some in my collection but they are hard to find. Your lucky to have found that.

Awesome find

How Cool, would make a great display

Send a PM to PRIMITIVE HUNTER, he will know what and when and where and such.

I would think that Alaska Inuits would have used something similar. Great find any way.

I've found several metal points over the years but all were trade points, those were made by Native American hands.

Very cool find

The larger one is definitely a foreshaft to a harpoon/spear. designed to fit on a longer shaft. Point stays embedded in animal, but shaft can fall or be pulled away and be 'reloaded' and reused with another foreshaft point. Easier to carry several foreshafts with only one or two longer shafts. As was said previously my first thought was that it looks more like alaskan stuff I have seen. Actually pretty common to see it up there, and some is still in use. Never seen anything like that with Texas origins. Most metal indian made or trade points I've seen were smaller arrow heads.

Another reason I would lean toward Alaska is the size of the rope on it. What would you possibly spear here in Texas that would require that heavy of a rope. An elephant seal or walrus I can understand, but a typical texas stream or coastal fish... not so much. An analysis by an expert could pinpoint it. Fibers in the rope, type of wood would place its origin.

What could you possible spear here in Texas?...
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u...ar_today#UNREAD

I would love to know the history if anyone finds out.

Yeah, and I was thinking maybe that or even a gator, but never seen anything on Native Americans fishing like that here in TX. Being a metal point its not so ancient that it wouldn't be documented somewhere. Even in the other thread you posted, a much smaller rawhide rope would have been plenty. That fish does not exactly compare to a walrus or even a whale. Plus the short length of that rope would not allow any distance from your prey, much like how Inuits hunt over air-holes in the ice for sea mammals.

Anyway, it would be interesting to hear the story on these pieces...

Nice find.

cool find

Thats cool

cool find ,ihad to leave in a hurry can you mail them to me, lol

Scoop some times those were attached to float, stick them and let the float do the work, it don't take much. You can take the toughest guy in the world and put him in a pool and I'll reel him in on 5 lb test as long as he don't grab the side or cut the line.

x2 great find

That one is definately a harpoon point. Inuit Eskimo would more likely be bone or ivory. They may have been poorly stored, but the ropes attached and not rotted away leads me to believe they were not found by someone. Original resident could have been a sailer in his past. There was whaling in the newfoundland area. I envision an Acadian whaler bringing his harpoon points with him to East Texas/Louisiana when exiled from Canada's maritime region.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Nice find! Thanks for sharing.

Very cool find !!

Awesome find, we have some land in Delta county too, our neighbor has lived on the same property for 70 years and has found hundreds if not thousands of Indian relics in the area. However I agree those seem to be harpoons.