This is a wood tail skid with a heavy metal frame from a DeHavilland DH-4.  It measures 35-1/2" long.  The DH-4 was a Day Bomber designed and built by the British and made in the United States, as well.  This is the American version.  The black-and-white photo below was taken at the 1st Air Depot and appears in the Gorrell papers.