Blantyre Project reader Max McInness has uncovered yet another mysterious object while metal detecting at Blantyreferme — and this one has local history enthusiasts scratching their heads too!
The small decorative metal piece appears heavily worn with age, but its shield-like shape suggests it may once have been part of a badge, harness fitting, decorative mount, clothing attachment or even an old horse tack ornament.
Experts would likely place it somewhere in the Victorian to early 20th Century era, possibly dating from the 1800’s. Years underground have erased most of the detail, although faint traces of an engraved design can still just be seen on the surface. There’s a distinctive design of a bird on the front, perhaps a swan and the object could potentially be older. Letters look almost all worn off.
Finds like this are often difficult to identify exactly, but they offer fascinating glimpses into everyday life around Blantyre and the surrounding Lanarkshire countryside all those years ago.
Max’s discoveries show there are still countless hidden stories lying beneath our fields waiting to be uncovered. Any local history experts recognise this one?
#Blantyre #Blantyreferme #MetalDetecting #LanarkshireHistory #LocalHistory #BlantyreProject
