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I think I know because I have some.  They are part of the mechanism that joins headboard and tailboard of beds to the side rails.  (Antique beds, not modern ones.)   If I can dig them up amonst my museum collection :biggrin: of pieces parts, I may be able to better show how they work.

BTW, in the future it will help to show scale, either by photographing a measure/ruler along with the unknown, or something of common knowledge (such as a coin).

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Cool find! By the paper behind it, it doesn't look big.

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11 hours ago, Valens Legacy said:

This was on Etsy and is what GB is talking about.

Antique Style Bed Rail Hooks  Bed Rail Fasteners  Set of image 1

Yep, those are the mating pieces.  The ring shaped one is embedded in the side rail while the keyhole slotted ones are in the headboard & tailboard.  It's quite a robust method (which of course is required!).?

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  • 2 years later...

I know this thread is old but I found the exact same thing with what look to be the same date and other markings (image doesn't show it well but when it's wet you can read much better) just outside Birmingham, AL a few days ago on a home site from mid-1800s.  Just curious whether you found any other information about this and where you found yours.  I'm currently using electrolysis to knock off the remaining rust so i can hopefully get a better read of the markings. 

IMG_4359.JPG

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It is shaped like a horseshoe with added lettering. It looks like it say June 20, 2011 IL. Not sure what the first word is. I lightened it and enhanced it a little. First word looks like REED. I found this on the internet. 

with the inscription "Reed June 20, 11 IL," it is likely referring to a memorial to Philip Reed, an enslaved man who worked with sculptor Clark Mills to cast famous statues in the mid-19th century, including the equestrian statues of Andrew Jackson and George Washington, and the "Statue of Freedom" atop the U.S. Capitol. 

Philip Reed: This is the name of the enslaved craftsman.

June 20, 11 IL: This likely refers to June 20, 1862, the date when Clark Mills petitioned for compensation under the DC Compensated Emancipation Act, which resulted in Philip Reed's emancipation.

Location: While Philip Reed was born and worked in Charleston, South Carolina, he later moved with Clark Mills to Washington, D.C., where he assisted in casting the aforementioned statues. Illinois (IL) appears to be incorrect in your description. 

I have these web sites very similar to what you have:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/1757988425/reed-horse-shoe-1871

 https://www.ebay.com/itm/371976320245

4.jpg

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