Can we date this boy's clothes please? Chillenden, Kent

[Top-of-the-hill]

  I am a bit surprised to see a drain there at all at that time!

[Gadget]

Had to type this up as it's not online

The overall design of the back.......In the 1860s deigns tended to be simple, often just a small trade plate on a large white background. Information was often limited to the name and address of the photographer...... Others are occasionally found which have been stamped rather than pre-printed.

from

Robert Pols: Dating Nineteenth Century Photographs. FFHS

[alpinecottage]

It's not what I'd call a manhole cover - that's a solid metal plate covering a large hole to go down into the drains to inspect them.  This is what I'd call "a grid", to allow surface water to run down off the road into the sewer or the surface water drain.
I just feel the photo has too modern a feel to it to be 1860's, which was quite early in the history of photography. 

[Gadget]

I'm not sure it is  drain cover. It curves upwards when enlarged. T of H- could you scan it larger, please.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  Sorry, Gadget - this is stretching my brain and my technology! I haven't managed to enlarge it yet - presume you just wanted the drain cover?

[Gadget]

Just that corner, if you can. Is there anything on your scanner's software that asks about size?

PS - what is there on the road  now?

[Gadget]

Just done a quick enlargement of your image via Photos, so not elegant!  It could be a fork or some such.

[alpinecottage]

Here's the modern cover.

[Gadget]

The bars are going the wrong way!