Surely Impossible To Identify!

[SaginawIan]

Okay, here is one that I'm just putting up b/c I wanted to see if anyone can by chance tell me what it is. It looks like it says " - - ERRY & CO" It has a picture of an eagle with it's talons clenching a skeleton key. It's made of copper and appears to have been broken since one edge is jagged.

I found it about 10 feet from a cellar hole that dates from 1830. THe newest items at the site are pre-1900.

Thanks all,

Ian

 

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[stoney56]

I wonder if that was part of a key manufactured by the Eagle Lock Co. of Terryville, Conn. The company was established in 1833 and incorporated in 1854. At one time, Eagle was the largest trunk and cabinet lock maker in the world. The corporation closed in 1954.

http://www.lockmuseum.com/about.htm

 

[Montana Jim]

Sure looks like it could be Stoney... same little eagle and key emblem!

What does the original say? Is that "Terry" or "Perry" & Co. ??

 

[junkdigger]

Eli Terry was a clock maker who started making locks in about 1830. His lock making company later became the Eagle lock Co. There is Terry on your piece,and an Eagle.I think you have a keyhole cover.

 

[TreasureTales]

Perhaps a keyhole escutcheon with the keyhole portion (top or bottom part) broken off? Keyhole escutcheons were made in order to protect the wood around the keyhole from being scratched by fumbling with the key.

Keyhole cover is also a good possibility, as junkdigger said.

 

[SaginawIan]

Thanks everyone! I agree that it is part of a lock - maybe a keyhole cover. The symbol is the same too. It does say Terry on it. Well done!

Thanks again,

Ian

 

[PBK]

I agree. It's the brass drop (keyhole cover) from a padlock— probably a wrought iron "smokehouse" lock.

"Terry & Co." is evidently James Terry & Co. of Terryville, CT and Newark, NJ, c. 1845-53, although I believe that firm is better known for its cabinet locks.