WWi dog tag, collar disc and another Artillery Corps button

[DownNDirty]

The past few weeks I have been hunting a large field where I have located three home sites-two from the 1700s-1800s and a third that dates back to the early twentieth century. I had previously found three Artillery Corps cuff-sized buttons at one of the older sites, all from a single uniform. A couple of weeks ago I returned to the field with hopes of finding more of the buttons.

I decided to start out by swinging the coil over the 1900s home site with the hopes of finding some silver coins. I notch discriminated out all signals below 70 and went to work. After digging some trash and a couple of wheaties I got a loud large coin-like signal and dug it. While it wasn't a coin it was a good find-a World War i collar disc.

S

Later research told me that it was a 114th Infantry Regiment, A Company disc; it's in in great condition too.

Pleased with my find I continued hunting the site. Another wheatie, more trash. Then a signal that I knew had to be a silver coin. I dug the target and pulled out a silver disc-yes! Wait, it was too light and thin to be a coin. I rubbed some dirt off and was able to read "James L. Dobbs/USA." On the reverse side was a long number. Then the wheels started turning and I figured out that I had found a World War I dog tag for James Dobbs.



That's definitely a first for me. I am assuming that both relics were worn by Mr. Dobbs in the Big War.



I have spent the past two weeks trying to find some info on Mr. Dobbs-his war service, if/when he came back, his descendants, etc. I would really like to present the tag and disc to a surviving family member but I have come up with nothing. I guess they will reside in my collection.

After finding the relics I moved to the area of the field where I found the Artillery Corp buttons. I hit a nice "buttonesque" mid-60s signal. Before I could stick the shovel in the ground I saw this



I popped it out of the soil and wouldn't you know it-my fourth Artillery Corps button, and it's in the best condition of the four



Here is a group shot of the four together



Other finds included a small brass octagonal buckle and a few flat buttons



Definitely a memorable day. If only I could locate Mr. Dobbs' family-that would be the icing on the cake.

 

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[dirtdigginfool]

D&D, very nice finds! The buttons are awesome and I love that green patina. The dog tag...wow! Let us know and keep us updated if you luck out and find some info on him or his descendants...congrats on a great day! Ddf

 

[Loco-Digger]

Awesome digs DnD, I dream of a hunt like the one you had.

 

[Mackaydon]

Enlisted service number beginning with a '6' indicate a service date between 1919 and 1940.
The "6's" began the year following the end of WWI.
Perhaps that is the reason you may be having some difficulty in finding this soldier's record.
Don......

 

[Mackaydon]

Don't give up searching for his heirs.
I've been involved in returning two WWII service tags and the reward for returning the tags to the soldier or his heir was exhilarating.
Don......

 

[DownNDirty]

Don't give up searching for his heirs.
I've been involved in returning two WWII service tags and the reward for returning the tags to the soldier or his heir was exhilarating.
Don......

Thanks Don. Any tips for finding info about him or his military service?

 

[Mackaydon]

If the mark before the '6' is a letter, that was called a 'service number prefix'; and that custom began sometime in 1920. If there is no letter before the '6', your search may be (pleasantly) limited to searching for those who enlisted in only 1919 and 1920.
Don......

 

[DownNDirty]

If the mark before the '6' is a letter, that was called a 'service number prefix'; and that custom began sometime in 1920. If there is no letter before the '6', your search may be (pleasantly) limited to searching for those who enlisted in only 1919 and 1920.
Don......

So this is a post-WWI tag?

 

[DownNDirty]

Enlisted service number beginning with a '6' indicate a service date between 1919 and 1940.
The "6's" began the year following the end of WWI.
Perhaps that is the reason you may be having some difficulty in finding this soldier's record.
Don......

Thee's no letter behind the 6-just a ding in the metal. This is a big help-thanks!

 

[Mackaydon]

Where it possibly gets complicated is when a soldier leaves the service after WWI then decides to re-enlist. In that case, the Army may have given him the tag you hold--with a different number post-WWI service number. I don't know that one.
I'd start with birth records in your county between 1901 and 1905. I'd also contact your local cemeteries for the names of those buried. No doubt, other government and private organizations could help--like your local VFW and the American Legion posts.
Don,....

 

[Kurios1]

Fabulous relics there mate. That dog tag is way cool. I reckon with all the brains here on T-net someone will be able to locate the heirs of this tag. Give this guy a hand T-netters. Sorry, but I am not very good at this sorta' thing. I hope you make contact with them. Congrats.

Oh, nearly forgot. Duh. I also recovered a Korean War era dog tag and was able to return it to the actual owner. One of my ALL TIME most memorable treasure hunting moments ever! Don't give up the search.

 

[Gridwalker306]

Congrats on a highly productive hunt, so many great finds. The tag and collar disc are very interesting, I wonder if they go together, and man would it be a thrill to find a relative! Also that artillery button makes me drool...

 

[CRUSADER]

Angelo's WWII Angels Dog Tag Return Project
This person will help return it for you, if thats what you want. They are great & I managed to return a WWI dog tag to Australia. One of my best returns, as they had next to nothing from this relative, so were very grateful. Good Luck.

 

[vpnavy]

..: GREAT ASSORTMENT of FINDS DownNDirty :..
Thanks for sharing!​

 

[DownNDirty]

D&D, very nice finds! The buttons are awesome and I love that green patina. The dog tag...wow! Let us know and keep us updated if you luck out and find some info on him or his descendants...congrats on a great day! Ddf

Thanks, Ddf. I'm going to keep digging and if I get some leads I'll post an update.

 

[DownNDirty]

Awesome digs DnD, I dream of a hunt like the one you had.

Thanks Loco-I guess even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then

 

[DownNDirty]

Fabulous relics there mate. That dog tag is way cool. I reckon with all the brains here on T-net someone will be able to locate the heirs of this tag. Give this guy a hand T-netters. Sorry, but I am not very good at this sorta' thing. I hope you make contact with them. Congrats.

Oh, nearly forgot. Duh. I also recovered a Korean War era dog tag and was able to return it to the actual owner. One of my ALL TIME most memorable treasure hunting moments ever! Don't give up the search.

Appreciate it K1. How did you locate the owner of the tag?

 

[DownNDirty]

Congrats on a highly productive hunt, so many great finds. The tag and collar disc are very interesting, I wonder if they go together, and man would it be a thrill to find a relative! Also that artillery button makes me drool...

Thanks; I'm not giving up yet...

 

[DownNDirty]

Angelo's WWII Angels Dog Tag Return Project
This person will help return it for you, if thats what you want. They are great & I managed to return a WWI dog tag to Australia. One of my best returns, as they had next to nothing from this relative, so were very grateful. Good Luck.

I appreciate the lead, Cru-I'll check that out.

 

[DownNDirty]

..: GREAT ASSORTMENT of FINDS DownNDirty :..
Thanks for sharing!​

Thanks VP