In our collection we have a chain collar, iron, with a name plate of brass
set in iron.  The lock is a sliding type.  The lock has been cut...I guess
cut off of the unfortunate creature who was wearing it.
My volunteer, who is a fairly knowledgeable fellow, thought it was for an
indentured servant and that they were commonly identified this way.  It
certainly would have been viable given that we're in PA, and there were
thousands of such people here.  I wouldn't say the collar is any earlier
than the late 18th century, though I may be wrong...initially I think I felt
it was a dog collar, but why lock a dog collar? It's small...perhaps for a
child or a woman...dunno...
Any thoughts? Provenance is no help, as it was in a collection of tools from
a family that is NOT related to the name on the collar -- making the whole
thing more confusing.
Candace Perry
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Pennsburg PA

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).