I dug a Confederate buckle today!

[smokeythecat]

A buddy and I decided to hit a place we have hammered over the last year. We have found a lot of nice items in the place, including three Eagle Breastplates, two Union Cartridge box plates, and one US belt buckle, Several of these have been found in the last month. We have also found minies, a few buttons including one Confederate block I, some silver and copper CW period coins, broken spoons, etc. The place was evidently used as a picket post, we think after the Battle of Gettysburg. The place is not on any known maps I have seen, so there would have not been any reason to LOOK for anything there. It just so happens good friends of mine bought the farm, and didn't mind us looking for stuff there. On two recent occasions we invited a small "herd" of local club members and Tnetters to the site and everyone got something, which was nice.

Today, it had rained. It was very foggy and that hard rocky soil was ALMOST thawed out. We decided to hit it a few hours just to see what we could find, as we have over 100 man hours on the farm, and finds are getting scarcer. Just a week ago we finally got permission to hit the grassy areas. First thing, I pulled a man's sterling wedding ring from the grass, and then an aluminum can, and another aluminium can, then another and then the pulltabs. It was looking dismal so that hunt a week ago was over.

So back to today, my digging buddy beat me to the site, we were also looking for the property markers but the ground in that area was still frozen. We didn't find them. He tried digging what appears to be an ash pit, but it was also too frozen. He finally found one minie ball.

We both finally started moving back to the grassy areas, and I got about five aluminum cans, we were digging near the "new" driveway, which used to be the "old" farm road.

After aluminum target #6, I got another similar signal, this one sounded a little different. I was down about 8" and it was so blasted rocky, I called my bud over as I wasn't in serious "detecting" mode, I was just in "exploring" mode. I had left my pinpointed in the truck and was too blasted lazy to go get it. So he shoves the pinpointer in the hole, and it almost immediately sounds off. I didn't see the telltale signs of aluminum, but a US plate was found about 10' away in the field, so I advised caution, it might be another breastplate. He grabbed hold of something definitely not silver colored, and as he pulled it out slowly I saw it was rounded and dark colored. I first thought it was another breastplate, but it was too small. When he got it out of the hole, I knew it was a wreath style wreath thingie. I didn't know what it went to, but these were used before and after the Civil War and some aren't even military. I know what I know, and everything else I have to research. I hadn't even touched it yet but had never dug one of these and was feeling quite pleased. I did NOT do that OMG, run around in circles, swear by whatever you swear by, I just stood there. Now, dung for brains here checks the holes normally AFTER I fill them in but suggested he run the poinpointer over it again. There was another signal. Yup, you guessed it. One more inch down in the muddy, sloppy rocky dirt he reaches in and pulls out something else round. It's dirt encrused, duh, and at first I didn't see what, if anything was on it. He turns it over, takes a couple dirty, wet wipes on it and I see a "CS" staring back at me. At this point I did NOT do that OMG, run and around in circles, freak out thing. I walked two steps to the nearest tree and tried to throw up. That's what REAL diggers do. Enough is enough. Here's a picture. Will get it cleaned. Whenever. Maybe soon. Right now I need a Tylenol and an antacid.

BTW the Deus got REAL dirty, but the target is what I call a "softball" and any machine would have found it.

[weregolf]

Wow!

[Worm-Slicer]

Superb find! I hope someday to find a two piece CS, especially BOTH pieces like this!

[rickb2202]

Well what can I say lmao. Maybe your kindness will be repaid! Nice find!!!

[Steve in PA]

Congrats on the sweet tongue & wreath CS sword belt plate. That's great that you got both pieces. Often just one half is found. I have dug a CS tongue in WV, and a wreath in Cupeper, VA, but even though I looked hard for the other piece, in both cases could not find it.

[smokeythecat]

In the same hole. Was dropped, our best guess it was a "souvenir", something the Yanks took with them, I guess it was set down, settled down in the dirt and has just sat there for about 150 years. The saving grace is that it is 10' away from the plowed field, so no fertilizer damage, as far as I know, I'll clean it when I calm down some. It does have scratches, bends and minor damage. I will clean it some tonight. Lots of guessing, but I guess you would have had to have been there to know for sure. Sitting 4' off the side of the old road, near the top of the hill where we found the most stuff.

I'm trying to get a better picture. Too tired to get it right.

[thrillathahunt]

Epic find! You will not forget that moment in time ever. Years ago I found a Confederate officer's coat button CS-1 and I remember it like it was last week. Congrats!

[calabash digger]

A great find!

[washingtonian]

Holy crap, cool find!!!

[smokeythecat]

Holy everything. Was the LAST thing I was expecting as we figured with 100 man hours on the spot, and finds getting thin, we might be getting to the end. The saving grace is we finally got permission to do grassy areas. A lot of the grass has a lot of fill over it, however, this area was near the main road.

[JackalopeZL1]

Fantastic!!!! What a save!

[Professor of Engineering]

Beautiful relic recovery...killer find!

[relic nut]

Outstanding find!!!! It's rare to find both pieces of that buckle and it makes it much more significant to know that it's all original. I've been fortunate enough to have found one so I know how you feel congratulations!
I also have the wreath half of one, so I know how that feels too.
That's a dream come true for a CW nut. Enjoy the ride.

[relic nut]

I'm also voting banner for this because it rarely happens and I congratulate you.

[Blak bart]

Incredible brother !! You da man !! Your skills and luck are undeniable man, congrats on another great recovery !!