Bent Square Stake

Date1750-1820

MediumIron / steel

DimensionsOverall: 11 x 10in.; Working Head: 5 1/2" x 2 7/8" x 1 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2011-87

DescriptionBent square stake. Square sectioned post & tang with opposing right angle bends, offset (to the rear) rectangular head with three beveled sides and one square side.
Label TextOf all the tools that a tinsmith would set into a workbench or tree stump, the square stake is amongst the most simple. It's wide, flat top is faced with steel and provides a perfect working surface for many different tin-working tasks.

Its two slightly beveled sides and its sharply beveled front side would have allowed the tinsmith to execute various folds in the metal, including some seaming steps one could perform on a "hatchet" stake.