Artifact Id

[Crangar]

I'm a metal dectorist and had the opportunity to detect on some fields which I later found out ran along the side of the Wisbech to Upwell tramway which was shutdown in 1966, found a metal collar hand stamped 'LETCHWORTH' horizontally around it with the serial number '04474' vertically there is one further marking partially obscured by corrosion but 'G__N' is visible. I'm not sure if its rail related but I wanted to see if anyone can help, I've attached photographs of this artifact and some nails which we also think maybe related to the track.

 

[Pinza-C55]

The first and last photos look to me like Rope Ferrules which were put on the ends of ropes to stop them fraying. I've seen a couple of company marked examples but they are very rare.

 

[WesternLancer]

The first and last photos look to me like Rope Ferrules which were put on the ends of ropes to stop them fraying. I've seen a couple of company marked examples but they are very rare.

Interesting thought. I guess beyond the instinct of the railway to brand everything as a matter of course, that would certainly help retain your stocks of rope which might be quite likely to end up anywhere .

 

[randyrippley]

In the second photo the first and third items look like hand made nails - the first looks like a roof slate nail, though fairly hefty - maybe for a stone tile? Or could it be a rail spike?
Is the second a knife? Hard to tell from the photo whether the "blade" is flat or round
The third item may be a studded horse shoe nail ???

 

[Pinza-C55]

Interesting thought. I guess beyond the instinct of the railway to brand everything as a matter of course, that would certainly help retain your stocks of rope which might be quite likely to end up anywhere .

My own company (the NER) was scrupulous about having everything marked, like sacks and on handlamps the oil burners were invariably stamped with the company initials. If they were rope ferrules it would make sense in an agricultural area like Wisbech because they would be used to tie tarpaulins over the produce on the wagons. The ropes may have been burned.

 

[Tio Terry]

Could be GEGN, Great Eastern Great Northern as the Joint Line from March to Lincoln was known as.