Look what we dug up

[groom]

BORN IN CHAI(N)

I read it as Birmingham

[Maggie.]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W_Dowler_&_Sons

Beautiful find!

Certainly the most interesting thing we've found so far.  Mind you I did get excited when I found an Elizabethan coin ............ however on close inspection it was dated 1959 - Elizabeth II 

[sandiep]

sorry obviously didn't read whole of 1st thread
my first thought was Birmingham but I discounted mistakenly I see
oh well back to sleep I think!!!

[Justaleafonatree]

Have you a metal detector?     So fascinating!  I hope the company writes you back.

[Jool]

Scroll down to the 3rd photo

http://whistlemuseum.com/2008/11/24/wdowler--sons-escargot-button-whistle-c1860--70s-beside-a-dowler-american-civil-war-button.aspx

[Greensleeves]

I see there was a similar object described as a livery button offered for sale online and this was described as a 'unicorn rising from the flames'.  But I thought that was a phoenix!   

[groom]

Scroll down to the 3rd photo

http://whistlemuseum.com/2008/11/24/wdowler--sons-escargot-button-whistle-c1860--70s-beside-a-dowler-american-civil-war-button.aspx

That's the same unicorn isn't it? The base bit looks right.

[Jool]

Yep, looks the same to me Groom

[groom]

It would also fit:  "Dowler also made button whistles: escargot-type whistle with metal buttons or coins at the sides of the barrel"