Found In Back Yard Today

[408_Dirt_Fisher]

Hello All,

Had some down time today and decided to hunt my back lawn. Found two really interesting things.

The first thing that I found was a buggy plate from a company called Henney Buggy Co and it looks like it was produced
specifically for a company in San Francisco called Frank Brothers. I see that the Henney Company was named this way
from 1879 - 1912, but I am trying to date my plate specifically and if I can find out when Frank Brothers went out of business
then I can narrow it down to a range.

The complete plate reads the following-

Manufactured ByHenney Buggy Co, Freeport, ILL
For Frank Bros San Francisco, ca

Here is a pictures, although it did not come out well-

The second thing I came across looks like it is half of whatever it use to be and appears to be a casting of a bird or an eagle and made out of metal,
if anyone has any ideas on what this might be I would certainly appreciate the help in trying to figure it out. Tomorrow and I am gong to try and find the 2nd half of it in my lawn.
Here are some pics



Thanks for looking at my stuff and trying to help out.

HH,
Ben

 

[relic nut]

This is the second buggy tag today. I can't help with the second item but they both are cool finds. Congrats!

 

[sutphin]

PART TO A COBBLERS STAND NICE FINDS

 

[WisconsinPirate]

Freeport - Go Pretzels! Nice Find!

 

[408_Dirt_Fisher]

Hello All-

Still digging the backyard by the buggy tag and found an old .22 shell with no stamping on it, and a railroad spike. Anyway to date a railroad spike?



-Ben

 

[Tpmetal]

not a rail road spike, just a large square nail.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool relics!

 

[DCMatt]

if I can find out when Frank Brothers went out of business
then I can narrow it down to a range.

It looks like the Frank Brothers were in their 'heyday' in the 1880's. In 1895 George Frank was elected mayor of Portland. It seems as though the store then stopped selling agricultural implements and became a dry goods/department store. The latest reference I found to the implement business was 1894. By 1897 the new business is in trouble with the law for defrauding the public by selling "inferior whiskey".


1904


1885

 

[408_Dirt_Fisher]

Thanks so much for the help. I also found a shotgun shell in the same area "1901 No. 16 New Rival" dated to 1901 - 1920. Interesting.

 

[against the wind]

Good that you're able to get out and detect.
Congratulations on your finds and the Buggy tag is cool.