Naval Officers Buckle 1850s - Rare AMES mfg. variety

[Scrappy]

I got out for a quick jaunt this afternoon. The new location I found was a house that had the exterior modified, but surely dated pre-1840's. It had been abandoned and literally had 2-3' weeds, and was almost undetectable. Almost...

First signal was this killer buckle tongue.

I searched for a half hour for the other half but no luck. I couldn't get the coil close to the ground for smaller target, so all I caught after that was big targets.



After some cleaning...



What I believe I have is an Ames Mfg. Co. Navy buckle 1851-1862. This early variety has two stars by the anchor. Some of the gold gilting remains, but I didn't want to over clean it. It's definitely one of my favorite buckle finds ever

My take for the hour

Enjoy.

Just a little updated pic - first one in sunlight



I love it!!!!

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

That is KILLER alright.
A heart break not to get the other half, but hey, half is much better than no half.
And I do know exactly how you would feel I got half a tongue, and wreath buckle, and was unable to get the other half.
But maybe next spring you have a better chance ?
Good luck out there.

[Plumbata]

Better to find that half than just the wreath! Nice find, maybe adding a weedwhacker to the kit will help locate the rest.

[A2coins]

That is awesome. Makes you want to go back with one of those motorless push mowers. Theres an old drive in theater site that is all weeds closed in the early 70s I know theres lots of silver there but like your site there is no swinging the detector. Just thinking out loud Great find!!!!! I would love to find something like that. Keep up the good posts

[villagenut]

That would be a site that I would always have as a backup. Eventually you will find the wreath portion ....if it is there.

[Diggin Dude]

Awesome find Scrappy!! I'd be thrilled definitely a cool buckle. Just curious is that a 51 I see?does that mean 1851?

Congrats and HH.

[calabash digger]

congrats on a killer find.

[Bill D. (VA)]

That's quite a nice find Steve. In my experience it's very difficult to find both halves to a 2-piece buckle like that, but it just might be hiding somewhere at that site. Good luck finding it.

[CASPER-2]

AWESOME.. I grew up right down the street from the Ames co. - its now apartments

[relic nut]

Great find Scrappy!!! I hope you find the other half. It will make you nuts!

HH RN

[AARC]

In overgrowth...
"Pat the coil" and "scrub"...
Push through... don't swing...
When you get a signal... push aside growth with your feet then instead of an X pattern do small to larger circles.
And the ole dip in "dip swing".

Well done Scrappy.

[davemihm]

BEEEEEEEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!!! congratulations on such a special find .

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk

[Steve in PA]

Really cool buckle Steve. Maybe you can get back in there this winter and find the other half.

[CoilyGirl]

That's a heart stopper Scrappy and I voted this sweet buckle for a banner find. I'll bet that other part will be found when the area is easier to get to.

[trapperart]

Very nice find congrats