Fresh out of the garden

[Nolatoolguy]

Wow, thats some rich history you got there. I would love to get a metal detector on that property.

[keykeeper]

Rascal,

Those are some nice hammers. That Vlchek would be correct for the 1940's era  and up Chevrolet tool kits ( http://1940chevrolet.com/files/images/hammer.jpg ). With a proper handle, and in good shape, they bring decent money to collectors trying to assemble the various kits!!

The handcuffs.....now I would love to see a picture of those. If those are the old style "manacles" that is a great find. You did mention slave houses. http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/abolitionism/slave_life/Life_in_Bondage_pic1.htm

Keep digging, you may unearth Jimmy Hoffa!!!

[OilyRascal]

The handcuffs.....now I would love to see a picture of those. If those are the old style "manacles" that is a great find. You did mention slave houses. http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/abolitionism/slave_life/Life_in_Bondage_pic1.htm

Thanks for the information!  The handcuffs may not be for hands. I've had my own hands cuffed with research on other tools and haven't looked.  Picture below.

Slave Houses, YES.  I can tell you exactly where the last that remained was.  She calls it "Pete's place".  It's on the hill on the way out.  There is a huge oak looks 150+ marking the yard.  He, and his family, were the only freed slaves that chose to stay and work on the farm post slavery.  The land was later given to them and then came back to the family after they passed.

I can't imagine ever letting any of those things I've found around here go, unless there was some real historical significance where it was just the right thing to do.  I'm hoping documentation will keep such things from scrap or $1 garage sales when I die.

[keykeeper]

yep, those are manacles for sure. Probably late 1800's at the earliest, judging by the locking mechanisms, but more than likely early 1900's to 1930's if I were to guess. Those are in pretty nice shape. Be careful cleaning or otherwise, as that would destroy the heritage of them.

Maybe someone in the family was a constable or deputy way back when.

Don't let them go, unless you do find a good home for them (museum). If you find they belonged to a family member, that makes them even more valuable!!!

Awesome find!!!

[OilyRascal]

I'm told my g-g-g grandfather was the county's first "county judge".  That is substantiated in county government records and local newspaper articles.....grandmother has a picture of him on her living wall.  That is the closest I can tie any family to law or government.  Maybe they cuffed the cow to milk it - I don't know.  I kinda hate to wonder with the history here.

I haven't said a word to her about those cuffs.  I'm afraid she may worry about something in the past.  A person her age deserves no worry.

I plan to let them hang in my garage as they have since I found them last year.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Thanks Oily,  it sure turns gardening into an architectural adventure. Keep us posted as you find other stuff.
JIS

[keykeeper]

Found these on ebay, looks like your cuffs, Rascal!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Bean-Cobb-Handcuffs-Circa-1899-/260967755177?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc2e3eda9

Now I'm finding myself wanting some of these different types of antique handcuffs, to put with my billy club/slap jack collection. I have a little interest in this stuff, due to my occupation for the last 17 years....lol.

[OilyRascal]

Found these on ebay, looks like your cuffs, Rascal!!

Surely do.  Thanks for sharing.  I'm unable to find any stampings on mine, but again they are out of the dirt without any cleaning at all other than compressed air.

Any suggestions on cleaning them in a way that doesn't demoralize them?  I don't want a set of shiney cuffs, I just would like to see the rust gone so maybe I can find markings I'm not seeing otherwise.

[keykeeper]

I would say Evapo-Rust would be the way to go. Very gentle to iron, but is kind of stinky and messy once it has sat a while. You can usually find it at Harbor Freight, or some auto parts stores.

I would think anything else would be too harsh to use.

Maybe a good hot water/soap wash and scrub with a scotchbrite pad then an oil soak to start off, if you don't want to invest in Evapo-Rust.

I have a friend that will clean up tools, then give them a good soak in used motor oil. Then he lays the item out on cardboard on a nice sunny day after a wipe down. Seems to impart a nice, grayish/blue color to the metal after a few hours in the sun. He makes sure to turn items over so all of the metal gets a gentle "tan".

Your mileage may vary.

[scottg]

For me, I like to scrub down iron relics with hot soapy water and either a green pad or very fine steel wool.
 Then dry.
 Then give them a couple coats of linseed oil, wiping off the excess before it dries.
 
  Overnight, old cast iron turns pitch black and just looks beautiful for years and years. Not too shiny, not too dull. Rich and very nice looking.
    yours Scott     

[OilyRascal]

If I was a guessing man, without researching, I'd say I found a wagon or carriage frame and spindles in the garden....errr I mean buried scrapyard....over the weekend.

[OilyRascal]

A view of where the seat would have mounted?

[OilyRascal]

and a closeup of the spindle

[OilyRascal]

The "small stuff" found over the last week.

[rusty]

Sure looks like it, I see a axle spindle.....

Not a seat, rather the plate the front axle turns on ....

Seems to be missing a few planks tho.....