Barber Half Dollar & an 1862 Boot Pistol to Boot

Silver Tree Chaser

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I haven’t much time to post lately, but I never found a boot pistol or any type of gun and decided on taking the time for this quick post. The barrel and wooden grips sadly deteriorated away a long time ago. It’s a Frank Wesson .22 boot pistol, manufactured in Worcester, MA and dates to 1862. It was a concealed type weapon carried for personal defense. This site also offered up a Barber Half and a Barber Dime only 20’ apart in a field that was mostly overgrown, and yes – it’s got me thinking what else might be found if the field was cut low. The boot pistol was found on the other side of the property near a cellar hole.

I added a few more finds recovered so far this summer, but I also tossed in some interesting lead recoveries from a Continental Army campsite from the Revolutionary War; they were recovered back in the spring. I would like to post them as a catch-up post. I’ve been too much of a lurker lately. Good Hunting to all T-Net Members!

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pistol and coins as dug

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pistol and coins after being treated

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Here's a non-dug Frank Wesson pistol. the internet is so awesome. I was able to ID the pistol in about five minutes, although it sat in the trunk of my car for the better of a day :tongue3: - I thought it was a kid's cap gun until I thought better of it recalling the heavy weight of the pistol's frame.

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A nice Liverpool Halfpenny Token - I dug this coin and the Liberty Seated dime below at the site where my GWI button was recovered back in 2014. Soil is quite forgiving of old coppers.

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reverse side of Liverpool token with crisp 1792 date

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1875 Liberty Seated dime

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My son spotted the Liberty Seated dime in the hole in about a nanosecond and snatched it up as fast as a rattlesnake strike.

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My one and only love token. It's a bit strange - no reeded-edge and engraved on both sides.

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Other side of love token.

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Lead balls from the Revolutionary War campsite. One of the balls had extraction marks from being pulled out of a barrel - jammed ball.

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Lead balls make into a whirlgig/buzzer and some very interesting finds - gambling chips. One was taco'd from a plow strike. My buddy invited me to this spot where he found quite a few chips, all of which were engraved with numbered marks - /, //, ///, etc.
 

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Upvote 35

ScubaDetector

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The barrel would not have deteriorated. It is just missing. Nice silver and pictures

What is more interesting is I MIGHT have found a barrel for one here in a lake in Michigan. Never found the rest of the gun!

 

Last edited:

Terry Soloman

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Congratulations on the Great finds! :occasion14:
 

fishstick

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You had a couple of STELLAR hunts there bud!!! Glad you got to mark a few off the Bucketlist. A luv token is HIGH on mine!!!! CONGRATZ...
 

CRUSADER

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That halfpenny token come out real nice!
 

nsdq

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Killer finds love the boot pistol
 

OP
OP
Silver Tree Chaser

Silver Tree Chaser

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The barrel would not have deteriorated. It is just missing. Nice silver and pictures

What is more interesting is I MIGHT have found a barrel for one here in a lake in Michigan. Never found the rest of the gun!


Thanks for the clarification on the missing barrel. Hopefully, I'll get back to that site, and who knows? Perhaps it can be found nearby, and if not - We could challenge each other to an arm wrestling match - your barrel for my frame; of course, I'm a bit frail so I need a stand-in to take my place. How about my pet gorilla? Does the top of your barrel match this photo.

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joeyfresh

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Some amazing recoveries there. The token is my fav and its in beautiful condition.
 

A2coins

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Now that is sweet piece of the old west My daughters are like rattle snakes with my rings Great amazing finds!!!!
 

ScubaDetector

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Thanks for the clarification on the missing barrel. Hopefully, I'll get back to that site, and who knows? Perhaps it can be found nearby, and if not - We could challenge each other to an arm wrestling match - your barrel for my frame; of course, I'm a bit frail so I need a stand-in to take my place. How about my pet gorilla? Does the top of your barrel match this photo.

View attachment 1337429

No writing on the top of my barrel. Also mine has a ridge on top that I thought yours had but doesn't look like it.
 

Ahab8

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Always love your finds bud. Those lead "chips" are fantastic. Love the boot pistol as well. Keep posting buddy. Always great stuff
 

Z.K.

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I'm glad I looked at this...the Liverpool coin, love token, and gambling chips are fantastic!
 

JerV3

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Those are some great finds

love the love token

HH Jer
 

birdman

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The pistol is perfect display/conversation item.
 

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