Questions for plate finders.

[chopper]

Breast plate, buckle, cartridge box plate, sword belt plate....if you've found one I'm hoping you'll share some general details with those of us that haven't. Where did you find it? (battle field, campsite, backyard, side of routes/ old military roads, etc.) What kind of items, anything unusual found around it ? What was the terrain like? (Hill side, field, gulley, mound of earth, etc.) If you have found multiple plates does there tend to be anything in common with the sites? When you go out to hunt a new sight are there any characteristics that jump out at you, and make you hopeful about finding one?

Any information that you think might help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks-C

[civilman1]

Breast plate, buckle, cartridge box plate, sword belt plate....if you've found one I'm hoping you'll share some general details with those of us that haven't. Where did you find it? (battle field, campsite, backyard, side of routes/ old military roads, etc.) What kind of items, anything unusual found around it ? What was the terrain like? (Hill side, field, gulley, mound of earth, etc.) If you have found multiple plates does there tend to be anything in common with the sites? When you go out to hunt a new sight are there any characteristics that jump out at you, and make you hopeful about finding one?

Any information that you think might help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks-C

I really doubt you could ever try and figure out where these thing's could wind up,they just do.With the building going on these day's they could be in your backyard....and with your's it's very possible Two of mine are from a 1830 and a 1920 house...... .Really they could be anywhere.I would say all of the above Chopper.....HH!!

[chopper]

Breast plate, buckle, cartridge box plate, sword belt plate....if you've found one I'm hoping you'll share some general details with those of us that haven't. Where did you find it? (battle field, campsite, backyard, side of routes/ old military roads, etc.) What kind of items, anything unusual found around it ? What was the terrain like? (Hill side, field, gulley, mound of earth, etc.) If you have found multiple plates does there tend to be anything in common with the sites? When you go out to hunt a new sight are there any characteristics that jump out at you, and make you hopeful about finding one?

Any information that you think might help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks-C

I really doubt you could ever try and figure out where these thing's could wind up,they just do.With the building going on these day's they could be in your backyard....and with your's it's very possible Two of mine are from a 1830 and a 1920 house...... .Really they could be anywhere.I would say all of the above Chopper.....HH!!

Thanks for the reply.
What you say makes perfect sense and seems glaringly true. Naive is the nice way to describe my wishful thinking that there are common characteristics to these finds. I'm still interested in knowing details about other's plate finds but I agree that it probably won't increase my odds of finding one.

[BuckleBoy]

All my buckle/plate sites had one thing in common: They all date from that time period.

The way to increase your odds of finding one is to hunt sites that date from 1860-1880. CW or Civilian.


Regards,


BuckleBoy

[Tn Dirt Digger]

Hey Chopper....Finding these pieces can be tough....I'm still looking...I have found a few sites and am digging buttons and brass but no plates yet....I found this particular spot word of mouth....of course I used the library and the intrenet, but asking folks is a wonderful source. Should have been a lot of CW activity in your area... I'm east of ya about two hours "Pulaski, " Good luck to ya!!

[chopper]

All my buckle/plate sites had one thing in common: They all date from that time period.

The way to increase your odds of finding one is to hunt sites that date from 1860-1880. CW or Civilian.


Regards,


BuckleBoy

Thanks BuckleBoy, my sites fit the time period. I haven't hit any of the local homes yet b/c everyone I ask says their yards have been searched by several already. Still I haven't asked even half the home owners yet so maybe I'll get to some civilian sites before too long.

Hey Chopper....Finding these pieces can be tough....I'm still looking...I have found a few sites and am digging buttons and brass but no plates yet....I found this particular spot word of mouth....of course I used the library and the intrenet, but asking folks is a wonderful source. Should have been a lot of CW activity in your area... I'm east of ya about two hours "Pulaski, " Good luck to ya!!

Thanks Tn Dirt Digger,
Tough indeed! Good luck finding one, too. Give me a shout if you're ever in the neighborhood.

[Vrent]

I haven't hit any of the local homes yet b/c everyone I ask says their yards have been searched by several already. Still I haven't asked even half the home owners yet so maybe I'll get to some civilian sites before too long.

Are you not searching because they are telling you others were here before or because the others trashed their property? If it is because others were here before, go back and tell them you will take your chances. I don't care how carefully anyplace has been searched, a site that has been searched out is very very rare. Unless someone dug up and sifted the whole area, something will always be there. You may have to hunt extremely hard and carefully, but you will find something. No such thing as a searched out area.

If it is because someone trashed their property, you may be able to persuade or prove to them that you are not that kind of detector. Perhaps steer them to an area you have been to before, so they can see you are not careless with someone else's property. One good way is carry a small nylon sheet to put the dirt on, and make it easier to refill your hole without leaving that tell tale dirt smudge on the grass. Show them how you dig a plug. Also carry some grass seed and a bottle of water and sprinkle some on the plug after you replace it, when digging in someone's lawn.

HH Vrent

[floodcitykid]

Breast plate, buckle, cartridge box plate, sword belt plate....if you've found one I'm hoping you'll share some general details with those of us that haven't. Where did you find it? (battle field, campsite, backyard, side of routes/ old military roads, etc.) What kind of items, anything unusual found around it ? What was the terrain like? (Hill side, field, gulley, mound of earth, etc.) If you have found multiple plates does there tend to be anything in common with the sites? When you go out to hunt a new sight are there any characteristics that jump out at you, and make you hopeful about finding one?

Any information that you think might help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks-C

I've hunted camps, many of which were "dug out" but still yielded a few nice odds and ends and once in awhile a plate that was real deep. Best bet nowadays is to look for construction and road widening efforts along routes of march, camp or pickett post areas, do your research, find out which roads, railroad tracks, old houses were there during the period. Sometimes you can "eyeball" a good site, look for old pottery or period glass.
If you hunt a wooded area, go slow, investigate ALL deep signals. Also, look for old trash piles or filled in wells or outhouses at old house sites, you might need a shovel and dig a lot of junk, keep going, you will hit the goodies.


Billy

[duggap]

Well, I have dug 16 plates over the years, with three of them being confederate. My best results have always been campsites. I have had two different hunts where I found two plates. We usually do a lot of research, particularly in the official records. I find a lot of letters and diaries on the internet and some times one will yield a clue. One thing that will help you a lot is to learn where the old road beds are in your general area. House places that go back have also yielded plates. If you are in a fairly rural setting, most of the older roads can be traced back to the war era. During the 1930s money was freed up to pave a lot of the old wagon roads that were still in use. You will also find that most roads leading up mountains have been changed to a different location. These are pretty good rules of thumb, but know there are always exceptions. I know of two roads going up the Cumberland plateau that are just about original. The more time you spend researching the luckier you will get. Good luck.