Killer "Fur Trade" era lead bale seal

Ia.FurTrade

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Aug 9, 2008
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Southeast Iowa
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Got out "field" hunting Friday for about two hours....(been painting the outside of my house the last month & a half)
Went to one of my "Fur Trade" era fields that we have hit hard in the past.....what with "no-till" finds are getting slim!
There was also a newer (early to mid 1900's) farm house on part of this site so do find some of this later stuff.
Was just finding scrap brass & lead until I uncovered the "Fur Trade" era (1760-1810) lead bale seal.........now if I can only find out which Fur Trade Co.(& trader) this came from!
I've been doing some research but haven't found out yet. As you can see, it has FM over a double X (or maybe a W) with what looks like a cross that goes up between the F & M.
The back also has a crude 3 X 5 (the X is a Roman numeral 10) & a line under all of it. These are not stamped in, so must have been in the mold. If anyone has any info, I certainly would be grateful!!
I have no idea what the large silver piece is.....it has been smashed flat.(would have been like a dome) Not a salt shaker lid as there are no threads or holes in it.I have found a few pieces of "trade silver" on this site.
Also got the early open ended thimble, brass tack, tiny buckle,lead or pewter tobacco humidor knob, etc.
Only coins were the the later Buffalo & a wheat this time.

HH! Iowa Dale
 

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What a great find! I think the cross symbol may actually be a number 4 privy mark with the top broken. The Bagseals Gallery IDs other like it as "Cloth Seal, Cloth Worker's Personal Seal, Privy Mark"

Take a look at these-

Cloth Seal, Cloth Worker's Personal Seal, Privy Mark, IG

Cloth Seal, Cloth Worker's Personal Seal, Privy Mark, TM, 1500~1825

Cloth Seal, Cloth Worker's Personal Seal, Privy Mark, 1725~1825

There is a member here StuE who I think is involved with the Bagseals website. You may want to contact him. He recently posted here to a thread I posted on:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/477468-bale-seal-any-help-info-would-appreciated.html
 

Great information there, Bramblefind! I believe your on to something!

Iowa Dale
 

The scratched in 3X5 is done later after the bundles of cloth have been cut, its normally to keep track of how many yards are left etc...
 

FUR TRADE , DAMN NICE .....
 

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