Colonial Things? Bronze item, lead/pewter, flat button - 1683 Property - Mass.

[btjbtj]

Hi everyone, here are today's findings. Some of the things are bizarre - the lead/pewter pieces have weird indentations or designs on them. Lots of pottery shards. The item John is most interested in learning about is the bronze cap-looking thing. It was dug at 18" deep and registered around 85. It has an R on it, and some little designs, and a D on the edge. He is convinced it is very old, but I think it can't be that old because it looks like something that might've been mass-produced? Would love to hear your thoughts. No clue what it is. Take care, and as always, thanks for looking! ~Lisa & John

 

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[relic nut]

Nice finds! The lead looks like it may have been in a fire, or chewed by an animal. Or both.
Have no clue on the cap. Very interesting.

HH RN

 

[btjbtj]

Thanks, Joe. The cap thing looks like a Rolo, haa! ~L&J

Nice finds! The lead looks like it may have been in a fire, or chewed by an animal. Or both.
Have no clue on the cap. Very interesting.

HH RN

 

[screwynewy]

Not positive but it looks like that might be a scale weight for an old balance scale. You should weigh it and post what you find out. I'm sure someone here on the forum will ID it for you.

 

[btjbtj]

Interesting thought, Screwy! I'll see if John can get an accurate weight on it. Thanks! L&J

Not positive but it looks like that might be a scale weight for an old balance scale. You should weigh it and post what you find out. I'm sure someone here on the forum will ID it for you.

 

[screwynewy]

Google "nesting scale weights" and you'll get lots of examples. Never know what you'll find at old sites. Nice find!

 

[btjbtj]

Oh wow! Looks like that could be it. I'll check it out. Thanks again. -L
QUOTE=screwynewy;5118817]Google "nesting scale weights" and you'll get lots of examples. Never know what you'll find at old sites. Nice find![/QUOTE]

 

[Scrappy]

Nothing significant here IMHO. Keep plowing bro

 

[DownNDirty]

That's definitely a very old scale weight. Excellent find!

 

[btjbtj]

Thanks for looking, Scrappy. I guess not everything can be a 1683 Irish Halfpenny, eh? Hehehee! -L&J.

Nothing significant here IMHO. Keep plowing bro

 

[btjbtj]

Thanks, Down. From what I read, these sets are pretty sought after by some folks. I'll have to do a bit more research to find out exactly who made this thing and when. The symbols should be traceable. It would be neat if John could unearth the rest of the set. Unlikely, but one can dream! -L&J

That's definitely a very old scale weight. Excellent find!

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on some nice stuff

 

[Scrappy]

Thanks for looking, Scrappy. I guess not everything can be a 1683 Irish Halfpenny, eh? Hehehee! -L&J.

Ha, nope they can't all be winners. But it seems like it's old no matter what you dig on that property, which is a nice feeling.

Have you expanded your search area? Have you hunted the entire property yet?

 

[CRUSADER]

I forget the name but I think we call the 'cup weights'. Even if that's wrong its a type of weight I hardly ever find, maybe Dad & I have 3 examples. Nice rare type, just need to research a date because we have found examples as old as Lizzy I (16th C).

 

[CRUSADER]

OK, memory not so bad.

These 'Cup-Weights' are classified as 'Bullion Weights'. Your style was used from 1600-1850, but the bronze was swapped for brass in the early 1800s.
Because yours look more like brass & the letters punched into the base look like later examples, I'm dating yours to 1800-1850.

 

[btjbtj]

Holy smokes, really?? Gosh, hope we can identify ours! Thanks, Crusader! -L&J

I forget the name but I think we call the 'cup weights'. Even if that's wrong its a type of weight I hardly ever find, maybe Dad & I have 3 examples. Nice rare type, just need to research a date because we have found examples as old as Lizzy I (16th C).

 

[btjbtj]

Crusader, this is great! Thanks so much! I'm on vacation for a few days, but when I return, I'll try to find an exact maker. Take care. -L&J

OK, memory not so bad.

These 'Cup-Weights' are classified as 'Bullion Weights'. Your style was used from 1600-1850, but the bronze was swapped for brass in the early 1800s.
Because yours look more like brass & the letters punched into the base look like later examples, I'm dating yours to 1800-1850.

 

[btjbtj]

Hi Scrappy, nope--have barely scratched the surface, so to speak. Have only plowed a few inches off one area (less than 1/8 acre) on the 4 acres. We've checked a couple other parts on the surface, but no in-depth searching. We seem to get pings everywhere we turn! Sorry...not trying to brag! Should be fun for years to come! -L&J

Ha, nope they can't all be winners. But it seems like it's old no matter what you dig on that property, which is a nice feeling.

Have you expanded your search area? Have you hunted the entire property yet?

 

[Iron Patch]

Hi Scrappy, nope--have barely scratched the surface, so to speak. Have only plowed a few inches off one area (less than 1/8 acre) on the 4 acres. We've checked a couple other parts on the surface, but no in-depth searching. We seem to get pings everywhere we turn! Sorry...not trying to brag! Should be fun for years to come! -L&J

No, the reality is it's just your inexperience that makes it seem that way. But that's ok, it keeps the fun going for a while. That brings me to a thought I had about you and your area/site, and that is it it will be kinda sad when it gets very quiet! I've had many great spots and still hit most every now and again, especially after the plow, but they sure pale in comparison to what they once were. Back in the day it was non stop digging and lots of keepers, where as now it's struggling to find any target and hoping it's something good, and day dreaming about the old days.... but you know what, it's still not really that bad!

 

[btjbtj]

I suppose we all have to face the fact that an area will dry up as time goes by. For now though, we are loving life! -L&J
QUOTE=Iron Patch;5121739]No, the reality is it's just your inexperience that makes it seem that way. But that's ok, it keeps the fun going for a while. That brings me to a thought I had about you and your area/site, and that is it it will be kinda sad when it gets very quiet! I've had many great spots and still hit most every now and again, especially after the plow, but they sure pale in comparison to what they once were. Back in the day it was non stop digging and lots of keepers, where as now it's struggling to find any target and hoping it's something good, and day dreaming about the old days.... but you know what, it's still not really that bad! [/QUOTE]