Age of Lock?....Button?.....Axe head?

Evolution

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Aug 2, 2007
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Upstate NY
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Whites DFX (with 4x6 shooter DD coil and 12" spider coil), Minelab Rocco 2700. (E-Trac)
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All Treasure Hunting
All of these were finds I made recently at a colonial site I like to hunt. The button has a "John Robinson Extra Rich" backmark. No markings on the front of the button...Just a flat one piece button. Can anyone estimate the age of any of these three items?

Item #1 Button...
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Item #2 Lock....
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Item #3 Very small axe head.
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very nice finds,I couldn't find that back mark on my list,but I am sure somebody will have the answer for you.

fortbball9
 

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I have been looking in "American Military Button Makers and Dealers' Their Backmarks & Dates" by McGuinn and Bazelon and there are quite a few backmarks listed from the Robinsons companies dating to 1812 and continuing with civilian buttons until 1874. I did not find a backmark for a John Robinson but it may just be one they missed or was unaware of. To render a guess as to the age I would put it at around 1845 to 1855. Just a guess and it could very well be older than that. It may even be one of the older models. Nice button.
 

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How big is the lock? It looks like a wrought iron lever lock, often called a "smokehouse lock" or "smokie," dating from the mid to late 1800's.

Any marks on the brass drop (keyhole cover)?
 

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PBK said:
How big is the lock? It looks like a wrought iron lever lock, often called a "smokehouse lock" or "smokie," dating from the mid to late 1800's.

Any marks on the brass drop (keyhole cover)?
I threw a nickel in there for size reference. The lock cover says "patent" and is identical in size and shape to one i found the other day (without the lock)
 

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