Bale Seal?

[Joe Davis]

Found this this summer. I think it is lead. It is about 3/4" round. One side has a raised ridge and the opposite side has an identical ridge but concave. The concave side is marked 1881 and I believe the other side is also marked 1881 but not as legible. A friend told me it was a bale seal but I'm not sure.

I love finds with dates. I would love to track down some info on this. Our town was founded in 1852 but really boomed when the railroads came in 1880 and 1881 so this would be a cool find to fit in that period.

Thanks

 

[jgas]

Sure is what you think it is. The wires have decayed away by the looks of it. Although which side is right side up?? LOL What town are you in? I have found a couple of these with different markings. Hard to track down the exact source. jgas

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like a bale seal. They were also used on different types of cargo, and not just bales. Tony

 

[Joe Davis]

So is this an unused bale seal? Do they normally have dates on them? And what tool would you use to crimp these suckers?

Thanks

BTW I am in Lamar, Missouri. It is about 100 miles south of Kansas City and 40 miles north of Joplin.