What or Who was "In Transit"?

[Stegner]

What or Who was "In Transit"?

In central Jersey, there's a location that used to be a long-term asylum for epileptics and autistic children, in a less enlightened age. I found this piece near there - on one site, crossed keys with the words "In Transit". On the other side, "Detroit Michigan" and other text, which I believe to either be "USC" or "UMC" - I've googled this like crazy and can't find anything obvious - my current guess is these keys were to transfer either someone from Canada through Detroit via USCustoms to this asylum - or perhaps a University Medical Center in Detroit. This is a very heavy metal - like lead. Any ideas?

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What or Who was "In Transit"?

Its a lead seal that is used to discourage tampering in transit.

 

[DirtDigler]

Re: What or Who was "In Transit"?

Could certainly refer to the transfer of medical equipment or drugs of some kind. Something that would require a sealed package or box. Very cool find.

 

[Stegner]

Re: What or Who was "In Transit"?

This seems to make sense- based on the patent any idea of age? This site would likely be early to mid1900s.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What or Who was "In Transit"?

This seems to make sense- based on the patent any idea of age? This site would likely be early to mid1900s.

I found a patent in 1857 but lead seals have been used for centuries and they used these lead seals into the 1970's. I had one on my electric meter.