Help with fencing wire

trash_digger · Dec 26, 2015

I was well, well, off the beaten path today, investigating a possible homesite that appeared on a 1940's topography map. I found some promising iron, but no signs of a structure ever being there (chimney, etc). I did find this fencing wire though, which makes me believe I am at least possibly close to something.

Can anyone tell me what type of wire that flat/twisted kind is, and what kind of date range it may have been used in? I am lead to believe that any structure located here would have been built there no later than the late 1800's, if that helps.

worm12ga · Dec 26, 2015

It looks remarkably similar to the wire listed as "buckthorn" on this website:

http://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/upload/Barbed Wire Brochure, final.pdf

It says it was used till about 1900.

Dsm_mechva · Dec 26, 2015

Looks like standard wrapped wire fencing to me.

Not sure how you'd date that but it must have been there for a reason.

Oh totally missed the ribbon fencing...

GoldAudio · Dec 26, 2015

barbless ribbon wire

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SQUARE-CENT...DE-BARBLESS-ANTIQUE-BARBED-WIRE-/390550973367

trash_digger · Dec 26, 2015

That does appear to be it, thank you!

RaylandRat · Dec 28, 2015

You're second picture is of a factory splice.

Icewing · Dec 28, 2015

It's more commonly known as "hog wire" fence, its for making hog pins or going around large areas to contain free range hogs.

Longhair · Dec 28, 2015

Twisted ribbon wire was used for horse pens. The patent on it is 1890's.

dirt dick · Dec 28, 2015

Just a thought; If your looking for an old homestead, well off the beaten path, perhaps your overlooking signs,
sounds like your hunting in the woods?
People and livestock need water, a creek near?
Imagine fetching a pail of water for drinking/cooking/ washing/
Look for depressions in the forest floor, like the size of a small shed/ building. or the opposite small building sized humps, that could be decomposing remains of what was....
Look for cleared out areas, old cut tree stumps, logging roads, rock piles,
Check around large mature trees....
If you get signals around any of those, dig it ........
What you find may just show a time frame (old or new ) or be what your hopping to find.
Let us know with some pictures,

12" of snow here, I'm done till March :mad:

Mama2Twins · Dec 31, 2015

I agree with Dirt Dick. Also identify the vegetation surrounding the area. Things that look out of place like certain flowers or herbs. Any rock walls?

Help with fencing wire

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