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Dec 13, 2017, 09:22 PM
#1
Bucket lister-British trade musket serpent sideplate
Closed out my 2017 hunts last week and man did I feel luckier than a lucky penny
when I pulled this intact British trade musket serpent sideplate out of the ground.
I've seen other examples posted online,but they were mostly broken off pieces.
Intact side plates are very rare cause first off these british muskets were notorious
for exploding barrels and so the sideplate would be destroyed in the process.
Also some Native tribes would "ritualistically" kill the serpent by breaking it into pieces
and burying it.
Beginning in 1690 English gun makers used decorative sideplates in place of loops
and scrolls and by the mid 1700's serpent sideplates were standard on British trade guns.
These serpent/dragon sideplates became a very important symbol of the fur trade.
For the Native,it came to mean they were getting the genuine article when they traded
the twenty or so beaver pelts it took to get a trade gun.
The snake was also spiritually significant for hunters and ensured fruitful hunting.
Indians had come to expect the trade gun had this serpent on it.
No snake,no deal.
Traders then obviously insisted upon it too.
Trade guns sporting these sideplates were also know as Northwest or Mackinaw guns.
I've added a before and after cleaning photos.
Last edited by Relicific; Dec 13, 2017 at 10:08 PM.
To Dig or not to Dig
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Dec 13, 2017, 09:26 PM
#2
 Silver Coin Fiend
Congrats on a really sweet find. I have seen pieces, but none intact, like yours.
Best of luck to you.
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Dec 13, 2017, 09:30 PM
#3
That's a phenomenal find Tony. Never seen a complete one,stunning example!
BANNER
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Dec 13, 2017, 09:33 PM
#4
 DEPLORABLE
Beautiful,, that's how to close the season.
Congratulations
SOMETIMES I WISH I DIDN'T KNOW NOW ,,, WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW THEN,, Bob Seger
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Dec 13, 2017, 09:44 PM
#5
 Tommy
That is freakin cool. Ill vote Banner as well
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:16 PM
#6
 Originally Posted by Carolina Tom
Congrats on a really sweet find. I have seen pieces, but none intact, like yours.
Best of luck to you.
Thank you
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:18 PM
#7
Very cool! I always think I'm pulling out pieces of a gun but it's always junk. Way to go
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:18 PM
#8
 Originally Posted by A2coins
That is freakin cool. Ill vote Banner as well
Thank you
I'm still on cloud nine with this find.
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:19 PM
#9
 Originally Posted by Aureus
That's a phenomenal find Tony. Never seen a complete one,stunning example!
BANNER
Thank you Anton
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:19 PM
#10
 Originally Posted by against the wind
Beautiful,, that's how to close the season.
Congratulations
Thank you
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:21 PM
#11
 Originally Posted by Gene Mean
Very cool! I always think I'm pulling out pieces of a gun but it's always junk. Way to go 
Thank you
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:25 PM
#12
 Sorry Honey, I can’t. I’ve got plans with my metal detector.
Agreed.
Banner all day.
How amazing is that?
EVERY COIN, SILVERS, AND TOKENS FOUND IN FLORIDA I SOLD...STARTING FRESH IN MARYLAND
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:54 PM
#13
Wow ! Is it cast iron? I wonder if it had been removed from the gun and lost. Very cool.
Please read our rules and enjoy the site. TreasureNet.com Rules
All finds posted by me are from private property with landowner permission.
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Dec 13, 2017, 10:55 PM
#14
 Treasure hunter
Congratulations on your Awesome intact serpent sideplate you found!
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Dec 13, 2017, 11:07 PM
#15
Congrat's on that beautiful, full dragon! I have many pieces.....but none complete!
Iowa Dale
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