Object in root ball

[glopf43]

Hello all, I recently found this thing stuck in the root ball of a recently fallen tree. The tree I would guess to be 150+ years old. It (the tree) is about 1/4 mile from a ca. 1795 plantation house part way down a shallow ravine. This location is the "classic" place for a dump and I would think that this artifact inforces this idea. What do you think this thing is? It's metal, about 2&1/2 feet long.

 

[glopf43]

Here's a view of the tree and the general area to give a sense of scale, I've put a red square around the object...

 

[flasherr]

It is either a foot board or head board from an old iron bed if you look where the metal stops and goes into the tree there is a kind of square piece with a groove. That is where the side rails go into the old beds. I would def. metal detect or dig that area. i found an old bridge where they used and old bed for rebarb in concrete if i had a hack saw with me i would have cut the ornate areas off the exposed pieces but i didn't and haven't been back to that area again
Brian

 

[flasherr]

If you are out digging and come across angle iron looking pieces with odd shapes on end don't toss them if in good shape you can usually get $15+ a pair in bad but usable shape. If the person needs them for a bed its and easy $20 in your pocket.
Brian

 

[GuntherHess]

Looks like a machine gun off a Panzer tank... you arent digging in the Black Forrest are you?