Questions about a couple of relics...

[Lost Signal]

Yesterday, went for a quick afternoon hunt with mbcuce. Not much to show for it, but I did find a couple of relics that I have questions about.

We have two permissions that fall mostly between the 1770's and 1820's, and between the two, we have found 6 or 7 padlocks like the one below. They are different sizes, and one is a square, but the style is exactly the same. Has anyone else found locks in this style? They are brass, with key covers and decorative strips that are fluted, like this one.

I'm also curious about the "saddle ornament." Is it a saddle ornament? We find a lot of these things, that are rectangular, and we call them that, but I can't figure out where they would go on a saddle. Has anyone found one with a similar shape to this one?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

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[Steve in PA]

I have found at least 8 of those little "Mickey Mouse" locks, and probably as many faces to those locks. Your time frame is about right for them 1780 to 1820.
I have no idea what were used for. Also, I have only found one or two keys that might have went to one of these locks.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Lost Signal]

I have found at least 8 of those little "Mickey Mouse" locks, and probably as many faces to those locks. Your time frame is about right for them 1780 to 1820.
I have no idea what were used for. Also, I have only found one or two keys that might have went to one of these locks.

Thanks for the response, Steve. That's interesting. I know I've seen a couple of others dug in SC, and was wondering if a Charleston merchant might have been the distributer, but since you've found them, it sounds like the design might have been all over.
The locks seem too small to have protected valuable objects from theft. It's possible that they were used to lock up letters or other documents. Or, they could have been used to secure certain stores, which could have been dipped into without being noticed. ??

 

[mbcuce]

I think the saddle ornament has to have some significance. Havent seen that design anywhere. Wonder if it is military.

 

[Steve in PA]

I think the saddle ornament has to have some significance. Havent seen that design anywhere. Wonder if it is military.

I haven't seen a leather ornament with that design either, but I doubt that it's military.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool little lock, congrats!

 

[Inspector]

Nice finds, that's a tiny lock, congrats on the saves