🥇 BANNER Colonial/Civil War site yields unusual silver object

[Jason H.]

Last Sunday I headed out to a mixed colonial and Civil War site with my buddy Ron. After five years of going to this place, we have a good feel for where the old home sites are and where the Civil War camp relics are. I like to dig both. Recently, we discovered another home site near the back end of this property, so I decided to check it out in the late afternoon. On the way there, I dug a crusty 1798 Large Cent. Once there, one of my first finds was the 1875 Seated Liberty dime. Then followed flat buttons and some Civil War relics- a knapsack triangle and a variety of bullets. Then I get a decent reading in the button range. After removing a nail, it becomes an awesome signal, reading in the mid-90s on my MXT. I get out the pinpointer and hand digger and begin to uncover something silver about 10 inches down. Taking it out of the hole, I am thrilled but curious- what is this? It's either a dog or a bear, I think. It's handmade, heavy, and it appears to be pure silver. It looks like the top to a cane, but what is that atop its head? Looking inside it, something iron went through the top. Something went through its teeth and one ear is drilled out- but not the other. Does anyone know what this was or what time period it's from?
Thanks and HH,
Jason

Update: This little work of art has been identified as a officer's sword pommel from the Revolutionary War era.

 

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[Jason H.]

Incredible once-in-a-lifetime find Jason ! It doesn't get any better than that. Man ... is that sweet ! Congrats

I appreciate it! Yeah, I doubt I'll find another one.

 

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[Jason H.]

This is one of the coolest finds I've ever seen up top!

Incredible!!!!

Cheers,
Dave.

Thanks Dave!

 

[Jason H.]

I did, I just expected it a little sooner

Thanks again, you helped make it happen!

 

[Jason H.]

Greetings members

I am a collector of 18th century items and this is definitely a pommel of an 18th century Hunting sword. After you shot a boar or bear you dispatched it if ness with your hunting sword. That is why the pommel is shaped as a bear.
the hole in it was attached to a chain which went from the pommel to the guard. It did not have a solid finger guard.

Awesome find, it is either german, french, or British.

jim c new member.

Thanks for the input and welcome to the forum!

 

[jeff of pa]

John Ward Gilman, Silversmith, Exeter, NH | Leo Legare Auctions

 

[Westfront]

How could i miss that one.... Absolute stunning find. Congrats on a well deserved banner!

 

[stefen]

Suspect that the update needs to be updated...didn't see where it's ID relates to a Officers pommel...

 

[TheDirtDiggler]

finds like this are why i love detecting, you really just never know what your going to find

 

[ivan salis]

well deserved banner find -- british made ---american used ---rev war 1776 / war of 1812 era sword pommel *

 

[jewelerguy]

outstanding find. congrats!

 

[Yard Digger]

That's a giant leap from the past to present. A great recovery! Congratulations!

 

[yaxthri]

Yes baronvoncatania is right I agree.
The protrusion on the animal head is a dead giveaway...

But I think it can be American not necessarily european:

Silver Hilted, Probably American, Lion Head Hunting Sword/ | Lot #98031 | Heritage Auctions



Awesome find Jason!!!

 

[yaxthri]

Oh, ok... I had not seen page 3 ( ) with some unting sword pics already posted by TNMountain, well done...

Still... GREAT FIND Jason!!

 

[Jason H.]

Thanks guys! I asked Don Troiani, artist and collector of military items, to provide some input. He replied:

"What a nice find! It is from what is known as a "hunting sword" or a "cuttoe" which is a term basically for a small light sword of the period which were favored by officers of both sides. I doubt if any were ever used for hunting , mostly military usage. They were very popular and officers of all ranks used them. To me the longer snout looks American made , the English have a more Lion look to them. Some makers had distinct pommel lions , and you can sometimes attribute a particular style to a particular maker (please don't ask me to do it though). There are a huge amount of variations."

I am indebted to him and those here who helped me discover some details about this pommel and learn some things in general about swords and pipe tampers. Your comments have been appreciated!

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks guys! I asked Don Troiani, artist and collector of military items, to provide some input. He replied:

"What a nice find! It is from what is known as a "hunting sword" or a "cuttoe" which is a term basically for a small light sword of the period which were favored by officers of both sides. I doubt if any were ever used for hunting , mostly military usage. They were very popular and officers of all ranks used them. To me the longer snout looks American made , the English have a more Lion look to them. Some makers had distinct pommel lions , and you can sometimes attribute a particular style to a particular maker (please don't ask me to do it though). There are a huge amount of variations."

I am indebted to him and those here who helped me discover some details about this pommel and learn some things in general about swords and pipe tampers. Your comments have been appreciated!

Don is a great asset & shares freely.

 

[SilverDreams]

Very cool finds.

 

[bassmaster95401]

Just amazing, and detail on it as well.

 

[Nana40]

That has to be about the coolest relic I have ever seen! Congratulations!
Nana

 

[petersiddle123]

Cool You got a great collection of silver object.I like That Lion headed

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[christoball]

walking stick head...came from asia or the south pacific...the top is where a match would be struck before lighting a big cigar...lol...good find...i like the coins...contact me when you want to sell them...or [email protected]