This was quite an exciting find. Found literally buried in cow shite in a fallen down barn! Totally painted over but I managed to make out the Patent makers mark. Cleaned up quite well considering and despite the condition it's got pride of place on the wall as the first decent advertising sign I found. 

I have considered getting it restored but really cannot make up my mind. It still displays fine as it is and I suppose it's only original once. It's dated 1894. 

Posted By fleece77 on 23 Oct 2020 06:30 AM
Good onya James, can't beat that feeling of scratching a bit of paint away and wondering what you've got underneath.

Was scratching it off before it even left the field! I think it's probably the earliest sign I have so it's amazing it's survived at all. 

Good one . Gotta love a Distributive Agent sign   !!

Posted By Mick G on 23 Oct 2020 11:28 PM
Gotta wonder if it was a flange originally? Are there bolt holes?

See this one:
https://www.gwra.co.uk/auctions/advertising-enamel-double-sided-wall-mounting-type-2016nov-0378.html

This one is single sided with original screw holes. I did see that one when I was researching it which is why I considered getting it restored. But the more I think about it the more I think it's fine as it is.