Etched Brass Pistol Butt Cap, Watch Winder, Ugly Flying Eagle

[Ahab8]

Went out for a few hours in the 90 degree sun yesterday. I didn't last too long. Find of the day was another first. A really nice brass pistol butt cap. It's pretty bent and I'm not sure if I will try to straighten it. Opinions are welcome. Also found a watch winder and my first Flying Eagle. It's absolutely hideous!

 

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[Ahab8]

Way cool pistol butt! If I wanted it straightened, I'd send it to a pro. That being said, I think it looks good the way it is-would be a shame to break it.

I agree with the professional straightening but think I'll leave as is. I'm not much for modifying a find from its original state unless it something really special that is broken or would benefit greatly from being repaired.

 

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[Ahab8]

Well done Abe. The pistol butt cap is really sweet... I say leave it as found.

I see a square shoe buckle chape too.

Congrats on the flying eagle too.

Best of luck to you in the field!

Thanks my man. Yeah that's a different chair than I've ever found or seen. That FE is one ugly coin lol

 

[Ahab8]

Great pistol butt plate[emoji844]I think it was someone that had some money for the fancy. A eagle 🦅 is a eagle,not easy to find[emoji106]Awesome job battling the heat,I'm going to try today [emoji91]

Thanks buddy. Pretty psyched with this butt cap. Hope you had a good hunt

 

[Ahab8]

Excellent finds Ahab.
The pistol button is not a very common find. An engraved pistol button is even less common.
The Flying Eagle Cent is a most Excellent Find.
Congratulations.

Thanks so much buddy. Happy to add a new first to the collection. Don't see many pop up

 

[port ewen ace]

MY___________________WHAT A NICE BUTT YOU HAVE
any captured Eagle is a good dig, it will clean nicely if yer REALLY CAREFUL

 

[bill from lachine]

Abe,

Good going on the butt plate.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[Patriot Relics]

Thanks again for the sneak peak text Abe, that pistol cap is quite a find. Can't wait to see what else turns up from that dirt

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Abe - The butt plate is certainly a great find, especially as I can only recall one or two posted on T-Net, none of which were engraved. Great Recovery! I worked on the excavation of the Whydah pirate ship off Cape Cod back in the late 80s. They recovered a number of weapons over the years - some complete and some whole. I don't want to photo bomb your thread, but I have some awesome images of a pistol with the most fantastic butt plate imaginable. I'll post it if you want.

 

[Ahab8]

Abe - The butt plate is certainly a great find, especially as I can only recall one or two posted on T-Net, none of which were engraved. Great Recovery! I worked on the excavation of the Whydah pirate ship off Cape Cod back in the late 80s. They recovered a number of weapons over the years - some complete and some whole. I don't want to photo bomb your thread, but I have some awesome images of a pistol with the most fantastic butt plate imaginable. I'll post it if you want.

Post em up my man. I don't get territorial on my threads. I just saw an interview with the guy that discovered the Whydah (from Maine I believe?) They just had a Whydah display at the Portland Museum. I wish I could have found time to see it. I find it so impressive that they kept everything together and didn't sell anything off. I understand that they gave some of the crew and helpers pieces that were eventually sold by some but almost the entirety of the collection is still intact. What an experience that must have been. Love to hear a little about it

 

[joeyfresh]

Great find Abe. I've found an ear I think but never a whole butt plate. The rest must be around there somewhere.
With the temps getting up there it's time to get in the water [emoji97]

 

[Scrappy]

Great find Abe. I've found an ear I think but never a whole butt plate. The rest must be around there somewhere.
With the temps getting up there it's time to get in the water [emoji97]

No, only Abe finds insane completely intact stuff. The rest of us are stuck with ears, lips, and noses. Abe gets the steak - we get the 99 cent hot dogs. Lol

And take Brad with ya swimming...and take a video. Lol

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Post em up my man. I don't get territorial on my threads. I just saw an interview with the guy that discovered the Whydah (from Maine I believe?) They just had a Whydah display at the Portland Museum. I wish I could have found time to see it. I find it so impressive that they kept everything together and didn't sell anything off. I understand that they gave some of the crew and helpers pieces that were eventually sold by some but almost the entirety of the collection is still intact. What an experience that must have been. Love to hear a little about it

Abe - Sorry, I didn't follow-up sooner with the photos. Your thread had sailed off to page two, but let's bring it back to port. Here's some photos of the pistol with a killer butt cap found on the Whydah.





The silk ribbon wrapped around the handle is mentioned in primary source documents of the period, which noted pirates wearing pistols slung over their shoulders. Pirates would carry as many weapons as possible when boarding a vessel - loaded and ready for action as much of show and intimidation as actual use. If they did resort to their weapons, they likely fired what they had and then went for their sword. There was no time for reloading on a rolling ship deck with men busy about the business of killing each other.

I worked two summers on the Whydah, which I will never forget. No one on the crew received coins or any such thing from the site - just a paycheck and the experience of a lifetime. Several coins (perhaps more) went to some VIP's in the early days but nothing more. One or two of these coins were eventually sold by auction (Sedwick) - eight-reale cobs with a numismatic value of $400 to $500, but they sold many times higher due to their provenance. I believe $8,000 - $12,000. The Whydah collection is fantastic, and it's now back on the Cape in a museum that opened last year. It's well worth seeing if you ever visit the Cape.

 

[Aureus]

What an awesome and rare find man! Big congratulations!

 

[Ahab8]

Abe - Sorry, I didn't follow-up sooner with the photos. Your thread had sailed off to page two, but let's bring it back to port. Here's some photos of the pistol with a killer butt cap found on the Whydah.

View attachment 1466643

View attachment 1466644

The silk ribbon wrapped around the handle is mentioned in primary source documents of the period, which noted pirates wearing pistols slung over their shoulders. Pirates would carry as many weapons as possible when boarding a vessel - loaded and ready for action as much of show and intimidation as actual use. If they did resort to their weapons, they likely fired what they had and then went for their sword. There was no time for reloading on a rolling ship deck with men busy about the business of killing each other.

I worked two summers on the Whydah, which I will never forget. No one on the crew received coins or any such thing from the site - just a paycheck and the experience of a lifetime. Several coins (perhaps more) went to some VIP's in the early days but nothing more. One or two of these coins were eventually sold by auction (Sedwick) - eight-reale cobs with a numismatic value of $400 to $500, but they sold many times higher due to their provenance. I believe $8,000 - $12,000. The Whydah collection is fantastic, and it's now back on the Cape in a museum that opened last year. It's well worth seeing if you ever visit the Cape.

Oh my god man. That thing is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing that buddy. So that entire display is in Maine right now. Borrowed I'm guessing from the museum in The Cape. I have to go see it. Incredible

 

[ARC]

Stellar find Abe.

Well done.

 

[Scrappy]

Abe - Sorry, I didn't follow-up sooner with the photos. Your thread had sailed off to page two, but let's bring it back to port. Here's some photos of the pistol with a killer butt cap found on the Whydah.

View attachment 1466643

View attachment 1466644

The silk ribbon wrapped around the handle is mentioned in primary source documents of the period, which noted pirates wearing pistols slung over their shoulders. Pirates would carry as many weapons as possible when boarding a vessel - loaded and ready for action as much of show and intimidation as actual use. If they did resort to their weapons, they likely fired what they had and then went for their sword. There was no time for reloading on a rolling ship deck with men busy about the business of killing each other.

I worked two summers on the Whydah, which I will never forget. No one on the crew received coins or any such thing from the site - just a paycheck and the experience of a lifetime. Several coins (perhaps more) went to some VIP's in the early days but nothing more. One or two of these coins were eventually sold by auction (Sedwick) - eight-reale cobs with a numismatic value of $400 to $500, but they sold many times higher due to their provenance. I believe $8,000 - $12,000. The Whydah collection is fantastic, and it's now back on the Cape in a museum that opened last year. It's well worth seeing if you ever visit the Cape.

Damn you Abe! Next time try and find the whole thing! Lol:

Great info!

 

[Mzjavert]

 

[Relicific]

That pistol butt cap is sure gonna be a conversation piece.
Excellent find

 

[ivan salis]

after firing -often if rushed ==a flintlock pistol was often used as a club with the butt cap as the impact point ..so yah that might be why its bent and likely why you found it .. it might have busted off the pistol in the fray --check the area closely the barrel and lock works might be close by if the user lost the fight

as a retired 27 year deep waters merchant seaman ( 8 months per year 12 hours a day --minimum) --I've seen some of the stuff that the Ocean has in it .. Lobsterzilla is no surprise --I've seen stuff that if I told folks they would think me a lair , but I understand --some things you gotta see in person to believe..