what is it

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replaced some hinges on a trailer today. the pins look like copperat first so i put one to a magnet and it stuck. then i put one  to a wire wheel and it look like this Attached Images
Reply:maybe copper clad ground rod
Reply:Are they long enough to saw cut about 1/4" off one end to see what the core looks like. If it is copper clad then the center should be grey, shouldnt it?
Reply:Just grind the end clean, they have already been cut to length. If they started out as copper clad ground rods the most likely started out 8 or 10 feet long.
Reply:Ed, what you have are pieces of a ground rod.  If you are going to weld on them you must get down to the steel, but i know you don't have to be told that.  Sorry bout that.  I have used them before.  The beauty of the ground rod  (copper clad) is they don't rust.  Years ago I had a Jeep and the transfer shift lever was extremely hard to move, the result of only using it was in the winter when I would need the four wheel drive.  Ended up removing the bolt that was used as the pivit point for the transfer lever , turned it down a little and put brazing around the bolt at the pivit area and assembled.  End of the problem!!  That is the same principal as you have there. A great use of a ground rod.  Bob
Reply:Yep, 5/8" copper clad ground rod seems to be best guess from the photos.