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Rare Civil War-era British lead ingot manufactured by Newton Keates & Co., Bagillt Works, Liverpool, England.The ingot is prominently marked:BAGILLT WORKS
NEWTON KEATES & CO
LIVERPOOLThis ingot closely corresponds to the lead cargo documented aboard the Confederate blockade runner Modern Greece, which sank off Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in 1862.The North Carolina archaeological report The Blockade Runner Modern Greece and Her Cargo documents 70 lead ingots recovered from the wreck, including 69 Type I examples marked “Bagillt Works, Newton Keates & Co., Liverpool.” The report gives an average Type I size of approximately 33¼" long × 5¾" wide × 2½" high and an average weight of 142.5 pounds.This example measures approximately 33 inches long, approximately 6 inches wide and weighs approximately 140–141 pounds. It also bears additional secondary stamped characters, including a clearly visible “Y,” comparable to markings illustrated in the archaeological report.The physical characteristics, manufacturer, dimensions, weight, form and secondary markings therefore correspond extremely closely with the documented Modern Greece lead ingots.IMPORTANT PROVENANCE DISCLOSURE:
Research is ongoing. While this ingot matches the documented Modern Greece cargo type extremely closely, I currently do not have documentation establishing the chain of custody necessary to represent this individual ingot as definitively recovered from the Modern Greece. It is therefore being offered as a Civil War-era Newton Keates & Co. lead ingot of the type documented aboard the Modern Greece, rather than with an unsupported claim of confirmed wreck recovery.Excellent historical display/research piece with substantial original surface oxidation, casting characteristics and markings. It has not been cleaned or restored.Due to its approximately 140–141 lb weight, local pickup is strongly preferred. Freight or professional packing/shipping can potentially be arranged at buyer's expense.
