May not look like much, but means a lot!

[IowaRelic]

I’ve been researching an 1860s road system and using 1940s topos to find the remains of it along with aerials. Without private permission, I stick to city owned areas as near to it as possible concentrating on any area that’s higher ground. So far I’ve been working an old curve in the road and I’ve found a spencer bullet and a dropped .54 minie ball. Today in the same area, I popped this bad boy. The only real activity here for the period of this lock is CW troop movement. A promising sign. Research is paying off.

 

[JimmyCT]

That is an oldie !! Your research is proving there was activity in the area. Never know what’s gonna pop out next. Good luck!

 

[IowaRelic]

I’m trying to find another with just the Victorian crown mark. All others I see contain other markings. This one has just the crown. I suppose it could be pre war but it’s way more likely it’s period as there was almost no population here until 20,000+ troops moved through. Any prior history in this spot would be colonial/antebellum, but very sparse compared to CW activities

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I found one nearly identical to that last spring. It was at an old, unknown military camp site along the Goodale's Cutoff of the Oregon trail. Mine was in much better shape, probably because of the arid climate. I eventually got it cleaned up, and even made a key for it, so it's now a working lock again. You made a very nice find there! I'd guess that under that gray metal of the keyhole cover, you'll find it's brass. Mine was just like yours until I polished it up.
Jim

 

[Ronstar]

Nice recovery by anyones imagination!!