Valley Ranger
Silver Member
- Mar 24, 2011
- 2,515
- 1,368
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- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Equinox 800, Garrett AT Pro (2), Makro Racer 2, Garrett AT Pinpointer (2)
- Primary Interest:
- Relic Hunting
Went back out to one of my favorite farms here in the Valley on Friday for a very short hunt. This farm has yielded some silver coins, IH, a Confederate Block A Button, 4 axe heads and other misc. items. I've hunted primarily with my MXT Pro and, recently, my T2SE, but hadn't used my AT Pro there at all - I've really only used it in the water for the last year, but I really liked using the machine on land on Friday. Anyway, found this cool RFD MAIL lock and what I believe is a very old button - maybe early 1800's? It's a little smaller than a penny and has some really nice gilt on it.
Here's some history on the lock quoted from a couple of websites:
"RFD" - "MAIL". 2 1/8" high x 1 5/8" wide. Brass case. Brass shackle. Warded. Mfg by: S. R. Slaymaker.
Since it began as an experiment in 1896, Rural Free Delivery (RFD) Service enabled an increasing number of rural Americans to send and receive mail from their residences. To receive the service, a family’s mailbox had to be easily accessible, and on the road traveled by their carrier. Families whose homes were far away from their mailbox insured the security of their mail by attaching locks to the mailbox. Local postmasters allowed this practice, as long as carriers were provided with a key.
Manufacturers addressed this need by producing and selling specially labeled “RFD” mail locks. The official-looking locks were neither produced nor provided by the Post Office Department.
The house on this farm is about 100 yards from the main road, so this would make sense. Found it in the back yard. Thanks for taking a look. I might work on that lock a bit and see if I can't "spruce it up."
Here's some history on the lock quoted from a couple of websites:
"RFD" - "MAIL". 2 1/8" high x 1 5/8" wide. Brass case. Brass shackle. Warded. Mfg by: S. R. Slaymaker.
Since it began as an experiment in 1896, Rural Free Delivery (RFD) Service enabled an increasing number of rural Americans to send and receive mail from their residences. To receive the service, a family’s mailbox had to be easily accessible, and on the road traveled by their carrier. Families whose homes were far away from their mailbox insured the security of their mail by attaching locks to the mailbox. Local postmasters allowed this practice, as long as carriers were provided with a key.
Manufacturers addressed this need by producing and selling specially labeled “RFD” mail locks. The official-looking locks were neither produced nor provided by the Post Office Department.
The house on this farm is about 100 yards from the main road, so this would make sense. Found it in the back yard. Thanks for taking a look. I might work on that lock a bit and see if I can't "spruce it up."
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