lead seal/token?

[Tennessee Treasure Hunter]

found at a civil war site in Hartsville Tn. what could it be? any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Iron Patch]

Need closer pictures out of the 2x2. (to have a chance)

 

[Lucas]

Looks like a bulla type seal used on bale goods like cloth (or uniforms?).

Should have a hole through it, but that won't show till you take it out of the cover.

 

[Tennessee Treasure Hunter]

Need closer pictures out of the 2x2. (to have a chance)

sorry about that... still learning to post!!

 

[Iron Patch]

Those pictures are fine. The only thing I can tell you is it doesn't look early so probably fits in the site you found it. Could be railroad or a variety of other things. Maybe someone might know.

 

[Tennessee Treasure Hunter]

this thing was white like a bullet until i cleaned it.

 

[CRUSADER]

looks like a lead seal to me

 

[laserfeller]

Check it with a magnet. Both ends of a wire were passed thru a lead seal and pulled tight around or thru an object. The lead was then crimped to seal it. When the seal was cut off and discarded, the wire ends would rust away and leave pieces of wire inside the lead. The wire pieces inside the lead seal will attract a magnet.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think I see some rust.

 

[Lucas]

OK, for the record, these type of seals--bulla seals--go back to the Middle Ages.

Bulla comes from Papal Bull, something you didn't want to be the subject of.

Goods in bales (cloth, uniforms, etc.) were sealed with this type of seal, or the folding 2-part seal. Cloth seals are always the folding 2 part kind.

MOST seals we see here on T-net What is it are meter seals... a fairly recent type of bulla seal that uses a wire instead of a cord.

Why a wire, and what's the advantage? Seals that are going to be in one place for a longe time, outside, need something that will last longer than linen thread. Electric meters, railroad cars... that kinda thing.

Back to our What is it? Military camp site. Bale goods, or electric meter? My guess is... bale seal.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

OK, for the record, these type of seals--bulla seals--go back to the Middle Ages.

Bulla comes from Papal Bull, something you didn't want to be the subject of.

Goods in bales (cloth, uniforms, etc.) were sealed with this type of seal, or the folding 2-part seal. Cloth seals are always the folding 2 part kind.

MOST seals we see here on T-net What is it are meter seals... a fairly recent type of bulla seal that uses a wire instead of a cord.

Why a wire, and what's the advantage? Seals that are going to be in one place for a longe time, outside, need something that will last longer than linen thread. Electric meters, railroad cars... that kinda thing.

good explanation

 

[Tnmountains]

Southern Railroad seal used on box cars. Looks like rust stains from the wire.

 

[CRUSADER]

OK, for the record, these type of seals--bulla seals--go back to the Middle Ages.

Bulla comes from Papal Bull, something you didn't want to be the subject of.

Goods in bales (cloth, uniforms, etc.) were sealed with this type of seal, or the folding 2-part seal. Cloth seals are always the folding 2 part kind.

MOST seals we see here on T-net What is it are meter seals... a fairly recent type of bulla seal that uses a wire instead of a cord.

Why a wire, and what's the advantage? Seals that are going to be in one place for a longe time, outside, need something that will last longer than linen thread. Electric meters, railroad cars... that kinda thing.

Back to our What is it? Military camp site. Bale goods, or electric meter? My guess is... bale seal.

Never heard them called that, I have found Roman types, & I bet they started before then. Not that I'm saying your wrong just adding details. Its the reason I just said Lead Seal because they had so many uses. Mine Roman one, soon to be published, was us to seal Roman Military Orders or other important letters.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_(seal)

 

[Lucas]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_(seal)

Big Cy that link didn't work right. You have to add that last ")"

Romans. Yeah, no surprise there. What didn't they invent?

Got the name bulla from UKDF, BTW.

 

[mankind]

I have metal detected that same area in Hartsville.. Is the old man still alive? Have you been able to get in the field across the river?? Thats where the good stuff is !!!!!!!!!!! You found a lead seal, I found two of those there also. One of them has a cannon ball with a lit fuse stamped into it. I found a nice conf. button there also!!! Man I miss that place !

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_(seal)

Big Cy that link didn't work right. You have to add that last ")"

Romans. Yeah, no surprise there. What didn't they invent?

Got the name bulla from UKDF, BTW.

wat happened? Yours dont work either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_(seal)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_(seal)