Can you help Identify this piece

[RickyP]

I found this piece this morning during a short hunt in between rains. It has the letters "W" and "R" with a Dot inbetween them and a crown above them. It appears to have had gilt at one time. If anyone has any info it will be appreciated.

 

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[johnnyi]

I believe you've found a keyhole cover to a British lock.

 

[DirtyMike]

My vote is key hole cover also.

 

[Mackaydon]

What are the letters below WR?

 

[Montana Jim]

'WR' or 'VR' indicating the property of the British State during the reign of William IV - Rex and Victoria Regina. There are about thirty seven different 'GR', 'WR' or 'VR' seals known (with a crown, an anchor, etc.)

 

[trikikiwi]

Fascinating find
William IV's reign was actually 1830 to 1837, when he died with no legitimate heirs.
Queen Victoria, his niece, then reigned.

Mike

 

[RickyP]

What are the letters below WR?

I'm not 100% certain, but it appears to be the word "patent". If it is patent, they didnt do a very good job of centering it on the piece. And just above the green dot at the bottom of it, appears to be the number "1".

 

[Mackaydon]

If that blue/green dot at the base of the object is a hole, I'd have doubt about the object being a keyhold cover

 

[RickyP]

No its not a hole. Thats just a spec of crud/oxidation.

My first thought after cleaning it was that of a screwdriver.

 

[johnnyi]

Ricky, I should have been more direct in my first post; this is definately a padlock cover; and as Montana Jim pointed out, it is from the reign of William and Victoria. These come in many shapes, and often bear the crown and initials. I've found several later ones myself which I may dig out if I can find them. Meanwhile here is a link to a lock which shows how these covers fit the locks. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...ntique++british+padlock+cover&hl=en&sa=G&um=1

 

[CRUSADER]

Yeap William IV keyhole cover for a padlock

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Very Nice Rick