TWO IN ONE PATENT MODEL

Gate hinge and gate latch in one patent model. Patented by W.T. Wells of Decatur, Illinois. The hinge patent #59107 was issued October 23, 1866 and the latch patent was issued February 12, 1867. The intent of the patent model requirement was to allow the patent office to compare a patent request with existing patents to determine if the new item was indeed a new or improved model. It is strange that the patent model tags have the year 1882 stamped on them along with the original patent date and year. More to come after I do a little investigating.

The last photo is the patent model of the gate latch located in the Hagley Museum.