Need help Identifying this button

[Bootyhunter1971]

Hey, I found this button where they tore out a sidewalk in my downtown area. It is very heavy and I think it's made of lead. Front has 42 on it and the back has what I think is C.R with W.C underneath that. Any help appreciated. Thanks for looking and HH.

 

[PBK]

Looks like a lead seal rather than a button.

 

[Bootyhunter1971]

Looks like a lead seal rather than a button.

Thanks for the reply. I'm not really familiar with lead seals, what were they used for? Any picture references would be great. A lead seal in my mind would be to seal and envelope or something but wouldn't the numbers be upside down and backwards so the image would appear the correct way when sealed? I don't know. Thanks

 

[PBK]

Historically, lead seals were used for centuries on bales of goods, and on cords or wires securing the mouths of bags.

In more recent times, they have been used on railroad boxcar doors. You may also seen some of them crimped on to wire loops securing utility meters. Here's an example of one of those seals found by another TreasureNet member:

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And here's a link to more information about railroad seals:

http://www.railroadiana.org/hw/pgSealers.php