Not Skunked, 2 out-of-towners

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Got out today for an hour and forty five minutes, was pretty hot.

Went to where I got half a military plate last year in hopes of maybe getting the tounge part. No luck with that but did get;
pewter rosette
blank copper
indian head cent 18xx quite toast
old key from Brooklyn NY, above that is W. Bohannan, other side " IV A R R"

Pretty cool, just found out Wilson Bohannan got a patend, and started making padlocks in 1860. Apparently supplying padlocks to the rail road, which may have something to do with the RR on the other side ?

Good luck out there.

 

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[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

You found a pretty valuable railroad key. (your key says W&A, and not IV and A)

The Western & Atlantic Railroad was founded in 1836. It was a short line running from Atlanta to Chattanooga. A small southern road and the relative rarity of artifacts from such a road, would make it prized by collectors.

WOW again I had no idea how collectible these were or any idea of value. After re-reading this I did some searching of my own found this site.
railroad switch keys

Apparently the guy has one of, if not the largest collection of switch keys, and I notice he doesn't have this one. Some of the ones he has for sale are as much as three to four hundred dollars +. Who would have thunk it.

Thanks again for this valuable info.

 

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