✅ SOLVED Can anyone "B" so kind as to an ID?

[TomPA]

This brass letter B was found at a 1800's foundation site in PA. It appears to be too large for a Civil War company letter, but I have no idea what else it would have been used for.
Ideas?

 

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[DoranHashemi]

Or it could be from an apt number or baby room! Who knows with that

 

[bigfoot1]

part of signage perhaps...baker,barber,butcher,blacksmith,bank etc.just a guess as that may be all we can do.the answer mat lie in what is still there at site.

 

[joe_dirt]

This story* may provide a clue.

"When I was a kid we used to have to walk to school with no shoes, in the snow, uphill both ways. And our report cards were giant blocks of wood with the grades bolted onto 'em... "

*completely untrue.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

You are correct that it is too large to be a civil war era (or earlier) Military insignia letter.

Note that it is solid-cast, with "integrally cast" pins/studs for mounting ("integral" meaning not made separately and soldered/brazed onto the back of the letter).

I've been told that they are everything from a telephone/telegraph pole designation to an apartment designation. Interestingly, they always seem to turn up singly... instead of being found two-or-more-at-a-time.

 

[TomPA]

More info on where it was found: The house site where it was found is pretty remote and in the woods. The remains a barn foundation are near and the other items I have found nearby range from the 1850's to about 1890. Not really a spot for a more "commercialized" product, but ??

 

[fireford10]

i cant help myself.........i think its the 2nd letter of the English Alphabet.
i have no clue beyond that. good luck though

 

[TomPA]

I like your systematic approach and way of thinking, but won't totally agree until we fund a government study that proves it!

 

[artemis moon]

Could it B??

 

[TomPA]

Could B, but the letter on the screen door looks like it would have attached on the corners of the letter, where my B has/had small brass pins that apparently went into something. I'm not sure, but I don't believe that there were screen doors like that in the 1800's. I did a little research on the home site and the property owners last name did not start with a B. Still Bfuddled.

 

[osage express]

It came off a beer truck .....LoL Osage

 

[TomPA]

So you're saying, "This B's for you?"

 

[Mike(Iowa)]

Just guesses here, but most implement manufacturers had a Model B. I have found many with a similar block style "B" on them, but cannot tell whether they are all just paint, or if there is an actual emblem. The posts on the back remind me of the posts on emblems like you'd see on some sort of vehicle. Good luck!

 

[creskol]

Because I was asked to do so:

Your letter B is harness decoration, specifically off of a hames cover similar to this one in my collection:

 

[TomPA]

Thanks Rob. I looked at my old map and I see that there were folks by the name of Baxter that lived about 1/4 mile away. Maybe they were over visiting the neighbors. That's a very cool hames you have there. Almost as cool as a pouch of coins!