Age and use for this latch?

[Bramblefind]

Just found this smack in the middle of a hayfield. Trying to get an idea of what might have been going on there. It is about 2 inches long and little over an inch wide. Thanks!

adding another pic - b/c I cleaned it a little and more details came out.

 

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[njguy]

Looks like a common pantry latch circa 1850-1930

 

[Bramblefind]

Thank you! Now that I look at it closely I do see that it has a rusty spring to move the latch. Gotta wonder how it got to the middle of a hayfield though No house there during that time period. I guess possibly there could have been an outbuilding or maybe stuff was dumped there...

 

[Breezie]

Bramble, I know what you mean about 'how did it end up there.' I felt the same way when I found a 1950's lipstick tube in the same hole with a CW 3-ring minie!
Breezie

 

[creskol]

I don't think it is a common pantry latch. A pantry latch is generally a surface mount mechanism, such as the one shown above. Your latch is heavy duty and made to be recessed into a door, a widow, or transom. If I had to guess, I would say it is off of a set of french doors, or a transom window.

 

[Bramblefind]

Bramble, I know what you mean about 'how did it end up there.' I felt the same way when I found a 1950's lipstick tube in the same hole with a CW 3-ring minie!
Breezie

this crazy hobby keeps us on our toes!

I don't think it is a common pantry latch. A pantry latch is generally a surface mount mechanism, such as the one shown above. Your latch is heavy duty and made to be recessed into a door, a widow, or transom. If I had to guess, I would say it is off of a set of french doors, or a transom window.

Thanks Creskol Interesting... still house related though. This hayfield is next to my house ~1880s and across the road from a mid/late 18th century house. Didn't think it would have anything in it so I haven't hunted it until now. But my meager finds show some activity - this latch, iron buckle, square nails and a small flat button I'll keep at it

 

[creskol]

That's some old stuff! Nice saves.. Better hit that area again .. and again!

I suppose it is possible that the lids and doors on some old horse-drawn farm machinery (such as grain/seed drills ) might have had catches like this to hold them shut. I will have to check into that possibility!