Civil war ID ring!!!!

Mark1985

Sr. Member
Jan 3, 2013
301
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G.RICHARDSON.CO.K.57.MASS

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Upvote 50

Jones Indiana

Jr. Member
Dec 24, 2010
79
38
Have seen a ring with a sealed picture on it found at a civil war site. Never seen or heard of any other ring like that. Not to downplay your find Mark it's very rare and priceless.

Know a man that found General Nathan B. Forrest's side arm........how he did it was amazing.

Something you can employ when looking for super rare Civil War items.
 

AdDicted2Ag

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Jan 24, 2012
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I am absolutely amazed congrats..
 

TheCannonballGuy

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Feb 24, 2006
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This is an extraordinarily rare find - a civil war soldier's ID-ring, telling his name, regiment number, and company unit. Prior to the 20th-Century, before the Army issued the now-familiar "dog tags" to soldiers, they were afraid of dying on the battlefield unidentified, and going into an unmarked grave which their family could never find -- or even get told about. That is why there are well-documented reports of soldiers writing their name on a piece of paper and pinning it inside their uniform coat just before they went into battle. The few soldiers who could afford to do so purchased personal identification rings or medallions. The medallions were brass, and thus more affordable. A silver ring, with the additional cost of having your name and specific military unit engraved on it, was a very expensive item for a civil war soldier of low rank. Thus, this personal-ID soldier's relic is far more rare than almost any gold coin.

Info for people here who are wondering how/where to research a civil war soldier by his name:
A free service, from the US National Park Service:
Soldiers and Sailors Database -

A very good subscription (pay) service, but with a free trial period:
Civil War Service Records - Fold3
 

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jeff of pa

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Dec 19, 2003
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Nice Find !
I took the liberty of resizing a few pics,
thread was expanding so wide,
when I clicked on a Banner Report, all I got was a white Page.
I thought maybe it was deleted .
(Pics can still be clicked on to increase size)



any chance of you telling us more on your hunt ?

other finds ? how often you hunted there before ?
type of site ? I understand if you wish to keep the site secret,
but , would like a little more story 8-)
 

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vandaria

Full Member
May 11, 2012
153
95
Illinois
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VERY VERY cool! Vote as well for the banner, and just so neat to find it and also get a pic of the person. Grats!!!!
 

hamiddetecting

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Feb 22, 2012
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smokedaddy

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Mar 4, 2008
329
104
SE Pennsylvania
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This is one of the best that I have seen in a long time. Great Job !! You have the ring plus a photo of the soldier = Priceless....

Mark: was the ring cut ? it appears that way in the photo.
 

Last edited:
OP
OP
Mark1985

Mark1985

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Jan 3, 2013
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As far as the hunt I found it at the bottom of a trench in the woods behind my house it was about 9 inches deep was usein the fantastic nautilus dmc-2b as far as the other find ended up with a beautiful eagle coat an cuff 9 bullets a nipple wrench a barrel strap will swivel attached I can't wait to get back to search that area again !

Also the location was in Spoty VA
 

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olas13

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Oct 12, 2004
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Rhode Island,USA
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Unreal find. BANNER
 

Goes4ever

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Jan 30, 2008
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that is one super COOL find!
 

CASPER-2

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Jan 3, 2012
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jamesbibb

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Sep 11, 2009
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Yes thats a great find and in wonderful shape too. For sure should be on the banner no doubt. Ive seen one other dug just like it. but it was mangled. FANTASTIC FIND!!!!!! LOVE IT
 

DocBeav

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Jul 8, 2012
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I agree with others here, that is certainly a banner find! So cool that you can find something like that and actually attribute it to a specific individual! Gotta love that history!
 

Handcannon

Greenie
Mar 29, 2013
15
6
Owasso, OK
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Fisher f2
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What a truly outstanding find, and to be able to see the picture of the owner really brings home the history of it. Banner vote in.
 

SC Keith

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Aug 25, 2010
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Congrats on a spectacular banner find. This is what CW relic hunting is all about!
 

fishstick

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Oct 28, 2012
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Talk about history in hand. STELLAR find MARK!!!!! I bet when you started your hunt you were'nt thinkin about findin that. What an AMAZIN piece of history and KUDOS to all the great people on here for their knowledge of history!! I can't beleive it's not up top yet but I can tell you my vote is in for sure bud... SUPER CONGRATS!!!!! HH
 

Silver Worm

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Aug 26, 2012
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WOW, what a find!
 

GTzer

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Jan 24, 2013
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DELCO, Pa
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Amazing find! Amazing Site-and incredible-instant- compilation of history & data!

Pretty new here-but wow and definitely a banner.
 

Chug And Red

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Feb 18, 2010
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Chug and Reds New Additions

Give It Up>> Garrett's AT Pro
Buttercup>> Garrett's Ace 250
Show Me the Money>> Garrets Ace 400
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Great Find It Looks Great Up Top On the Banner, HH Chug and Red
 

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