>At 11:53 18/06/01 -0400, you wrote:
>>Coffin furniture expert needed.  We have recovered a a small iron coffin
>>butt hinge with the initials "V"  "W"  cut into the reverse side.  Any
>>suggestions as to what the intials tell us would be greatly
>>appreciately.  The  book I have (Russell and Erwin) coffin hardware
>>covering  doesn't get into such detail.  Thanks in advance.  JW


Are these cast or wrought iron?  Back in Cazenovia, NY, I have seen and
heard of wrought hinges, shutter hooks and door hardware, with the initials
LB on the backside of them, being made by Luther Burnell, a local
blacksmith.  They dated to c.1810 -1820.

        Dan W.