Old hand perhaps about fifty and in charge (5)
I believe the answer is:
relic
'old hand' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'about fifty and in charge' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' (regarding).
'fifty' becomes 'l' (Roman numeral).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
're'+'l'+'ic'='RELIC'
'perhaps' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for relic that I've seen before include "Object of historical interest" , "Hangover from an earlier time" , "Fossil" , "for remembrance" , "Something from saint" .)