✅ SOLVED Need help with ID tag

[jksweendog]

I found this tag while detecting a recently cleared lot in Wilmington, NC. I've done a bit of googling and all I can turn up is information on the Fire Department "Combination Engine Company 61" out of the Bronx New York.




Tag reads COMB. ENG. CO. 61

It looks to maybe be copper or brass I guess, and about the size of a quarter. No ID marks other than whats on the front. I did find a UMC CO NO. 12 Arrow headstamp, an older toy car a brass plate lock from an old box and a older tarpaulin ring.

I did find the toy car to be from Tootsie ToyCar, pre 1950s

It doesn't seem to make sense to be a FDNY ID tag here in NC.. any thoughts?

 

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[mcl]

First Google result for me was someone selling a whole bunch of them as "mining tags".

Antique Comb. Eng. Co. Mining Tags - 1 Large and 20 Small Tags – VZClassifieds.com

And from another website, that apparently means:

"Each miner was assigned a number which appeared on a metal tag that was taken off a board by the miner as he entered the mine and replaced on the board when he exited the mine. This let the company know how many miners And who they were that were in the mine at any given time. These numbered tags were known by numerous names such as Miner’s Checks, Check Tags, Pit Tags, Pit Checks, and Time Checks. Miners also carried brass tags with their number to hang on each coal car they filled and sent out to be weighed so that the weighman knew whom to credit with the mined coal."

-mcl

 

[jksweendog]

mcl,

Thanks a bunch. That seems spot on. I would have never thought to think about a mining tag. I wonder how it made it down here, guess thats the fun of the hobby.

Thanks Again,
Jeff