✅ SOLVED Wax Seal Matrix? CW Era Eagle

[bigfootokie]

I think this is a Seal Matrix for imprinting an Eagle into a wax seal on letters. At first I thought it was an impression made in lead of the Reverse of an old coin, but there are no words or other marks I can see. The back is shaped similar to other Matrix I have seen that had a small, round piece of wood inserted in the hole for a handle. I tried it out with some red wax...pretty cool results.

Your thoughts?

 

[DurkaDigger]

Very nice!


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[CC Hunter]

bigfootokie,

While your find does indeed appear much like a wax seal, and can even function quite well in that capacity, the original intended use was actually for something otherwise. Your find there with the raised eagle design, is in fact the top cap to a gunpowder can, circa. 1840's. The cap was simply pressed into the smooth tinned iron top of the gunpowder can, thereby sealing the can from moisture and powder loss.




Here is a similar example:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/44405-1860-gunpowder-cap.html


The illustration of the complete gunpowder can in the link above, is from the collector guide and reference;

Gun Powder Cans & Kegs, by Ted & David Bayck, & Tom Rowe



From what I have noted on excavated examples of these "Eagle" powder can caps, the date they have listed of 1860's in the guide book is a bit late for actual use. I have the book, an excellent and well illustrated work. However, the date of 1860 is shown there on a number of metal gunpowder canisters that are known to date earlier. My own first dug example of the "Eagle" powder can cap, was found on the site of a Second Seminole War military supply depot, abandoned in 1842. They will on occasion turn up in early to mid-1850's sites. By the 1860's, the threaded top powder can caps, such as Hazard Powder Co., and others, were in prevalent use.



CC Hunter

 

[bigfootokie]

bigfootokie,

Your find there with the raised eagle design, is in fact the top cap to a gunpowder can, circa. 1840's.




CC Hunter

No Kidding? I've never seen one before. Well...maybe it's not quite as cool as a Matrix, but a new first for me and pretty cool just the same.

Thanks a bunch for the ID.

 

[CC Hunter]

You are quite welcome!

Pretty cool indeed bigfootokie.


While the press-in type gunpowder caps are rather commonly found in mid-19th Century sites, those with the embossed Eagle design are quite scarce, only being seen on rare occasion.


CC Hunter