Fabulous 19th Century Iron Lightening Rod Pointing HandFabulous. I purchased this one from a favorite dealer couple in southern Maine, who have a great eye for the graphically appealing, an appreciation for antique iron, and knack for finding unexpected things. 19th century I believe, this I believe would once have been the vertical piece of a lightening rod, designed to protect buildings from lightning strikes and fires by attracting lightning bolts and channeling their energy into the ground with the