Headless Horseman, tiny key and old pressed penny

[tmosc]

Back at an old School House for a bit tonight. Found this cool little key , skate key ?, an old patina'd pressed out penny, and , just in time for Halloween, my very own Headless Horseman complete with headless ( and legless ) Horse. It's a heavy little sucker. Appears to be lead. If anyone can put an age to the toy and little key it would be greatly appreciated. This is a different school than the one I've been going to recently and it was built in 1908. Good luck all and Happy Hunting !

 

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[texjim]

Those are some neat finds

 

[Loco-Digger]

I believe that key goes to a dresser, neat find. I could not find an image of the figurine fragment.

 

[tmosc]

I believe that key goes to a dresser, neat find. I could not find an image of the figurine fragment.

Yah I Googled some images and found close but not exact. I'd like to know what era I hit tonight. 20's , 30's ,40's 50's ? I'm guessing that the Horse and Rider are pretty old as well as the key. Heck even the patina build up on that flat penny makes it look like it's been in the ground for several decades. Who knows?

 

[retire05]

I absolutely love that key! Great job. Keep up the good work!...Brad

 

[villagenut]

Lead horse and riders have been produced and reproduced for a long time. In one of Humes books he shows one from Williamsburg dating from the later 1700s, made from a two piece mold most likely in Germany. Many of these mold patterns similar to the one shown, have been re used lending to many claiming that these little toys are modern made, from the mid 20th century. A good study of them, especially the patina from a dug one along with its wear and tear should make a thinking person realize that it is certainly older than the modern look a likes. Something to remember, just because an artifact like a toy horse and rider was found at a 1900-1920 site does not mean that it is from that era. Many things like this were passed down and could have been much older when they were actually lost. I do think yours has some good age to it, but not as old as Hume's example (shown for comparison and proof that these were produced earlier on). For me though, I really like it.

 

[CASPER-2]

I had some keys like that that went to some cheap hand cuffs

 

[Trezurehunter]

Nice finds.

 

[tmosc]

I had some keys like that that went to some cheap hand cuffs

Well it was found at an old school so maybe some kid brought them in for show and tell and lost the key ? Possible.

 

[ARC]

Toy handcuff key.



EDIT*** Errr sorry... just saw Caspers post... heh

 

[tmosc]

Lead horse and riders have been produced and reproduced for a long time. In one of Humes books he shows one from Williamsburg dating from the later 1700s, made from a two piece mold most likely in Germany. Many of these mold patterns similar to the one shown, have been re used lending to many claiming that these little toys are modern made, from the mid 20th century. A good study of them, especially the patina from a dug one along with its wear and tear should make a thinking person realize that it is certainly older than the modern look a likes. Something to remember, just because an artifact like a toy horse and rider was found at a 1900-1920 site does not mean that it is from that era. Many things like this were passed down and could have been much older when they were actually lost. I do think yours has some good age to it, but not as old as Hume's example (shown for comparison and proof that these were produced earlier on). For me though, I really like it.

View attachment 1216881

I found this website and based on the description of hollow lead soldiers that were much cheaper and lighter being produced starting in the late 1800's , I feel that this could possibly be an example from Europe in the early 1800's ? I can only hope. Either way its a cool addition to my display case.


Vintage Toy Soldiers - Collector Information | Collectors Weekly

 

[tmosc]

Toy handcuff key.

View attachment 1216990

EDIT*** Errr sorry... just saw Caspers post... heh

Most definitely what I found ! Thanks to both of you for the research. That's why I love this forum.

 

[sutphin]

MOSC THAT LEAD SOLIDER FIND IS NEAT . LOVE THE LEAD FIGURES WE ALL FIND FROM TIME TO TIME . HELLO " IS THAT YOU ICABOD CRANE ?