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Mystery Railroad Item

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    Posted 11 years ago

    eccentric1
    (21 items)

    Hi all,

    I have an item here that I am having a tough time identifying.

    It is a 2"x 4" thin metal plate (tin?) that has the following script stamped so deeply into it that parts of it look like a stencil:

    B.P. COLUSSY
    TREVESKYN
    B & M R R

    The name of the individual is obvious, Treveskyn is a town in Pennsylvania near Bridgeville, and the B&M RR was the Bridgeville and McDonald branch of the PRR.

    Only thing I can't figure out is what the item's purpose was. Employee ID, rail pass carried by a miner, tag for a trunk or tool box?

    Has anyone come across anything like it?

    Thanks very much in advance

    e1

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    Comments

    1. SEAN68 SEAN68, 11 years ago
      very cool!!!!
    2. fhrjr2 fhrjr2, 11 years ago
      Do a Google for B&M railroad brass baggage tag and have a look at the images. You should find it quite easy.
    3. eccentric1 eccentric1, 11 years ago
      Thank you all very much for the love and helpful comments!

      fhrjr2,
      I agreed with your assesment when I first found the piece. The reason I still doubt it is that there is no evidence of anything being snapped off of this plate, no hole for a string and no slot for a fob like leather band to attach it to a bag. maybe they strung it through a punched through letter? Also, I dont think the B&M Branch was a passenger line. I could be wrong there.

      You could very well be correct. I will leave this out here for a few, and if nothing else comes up I will push the solved button. Thanks for your time,

      e1

    4. fhrjr2 fhrjr2, 11 years ago
      Ok, let me go on a bit because we are on different pages for the same end result. You say it is stamped so deep it looks like a stencil. If it was inserted into a hand stamping machine with ink would it print what is shown on a shipping label? I am thinking this was kept at the depot to print up labels for someone who did a volume business or at their place of business to print their own. The side shown above would obviously produce a reverse image, what about the other side? You are right about holes and slots. But, some were nailed to crates and this may never have been used. Knowing what the gentleman did for a living might well solve the mystery.
    5. eccentric1 eccentric1, 11 years ago
      Fhrjr2,

      All points well taken. Thank you for shaking me free of my tunnel vision. I never considered it being a tool to make an item, just the item itself.

      While shaking free of my assumptions, I also think I am taking for granted that the B.P. before the name were initials. It could also stand for nearby Bethel Park. Perhaps it is source, recipient and destination...

      Thanks much, I will poke some more!

      e1
    6. eccentric1 eccentric1, 10 years ago
      Solved by Fhrjr2 three months ago. My hat is off to you sir.

      I came across one exactly like it on display at the excursion train station of the OC&T in Titusville, PA. Similar format, material and no holes.

      I have been in contact with the Bridgville Historical Society in an attempt to get the tag to a member of the Collussy family.

      Thanks to Fhrjr2 for the insight!

      E1
    7. fhrjr2 fhrjr2, 10 years ago
      Glad to hear you were successful in finding another. Sometimes tossing around ideas can get us so we are headed in the right direction with our search. I certainly hope you are able to find a family member who will enjoy and appreciate it.
    8. Roycroftbooksfromme1, 10 years ago
      nice going ....fhrjr2,

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