The Hawking Ring or Vervel

[John Winter]

Hawking rings or ‘vervels’ are rare detectorist finds. They were once attached to the leg of a bird of prey as a mark of ownership and those made of silver help in illustrating the development of hawking as an aristocratic pastime in the 17th century. A modern analogy would be a pigeon ring that bears details relating to the owner.

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The Hawking Ring or Vervel | John Winter

 

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[CincinnatiKid]

Thanks John Winter.
Vervel's are pigeon based in the U.S. Usually for enthusiasts.
Locally, pigeons overpopulated the business district of downtown Cincinnati in the early 1990s. The "men in suits" quickly tired of pigeon droppings on their priceless BMW's, Mercedes and $1500 suits.
Two hawks were released to contain pigeon population. No longer do the "men in suits" worry of pigeon droppings. They now worry about hawk droppings.
I've only found two vervels since beginning MDing. Both aluminum.
Peace ✌

 

[NWMP]

The nearest I've come are late 1700's brass hawk bells used in the fur trade.

 

[EccentricInTexas]

Interesting never heard of those before.