Colonial tear out round 3 - BATWING buckle, 17th-19th century targets

[Patriot Relics]

Hey guys,

Quick round up from this week digs- headed back to the colonial tear out with Matt and Stef. It seems that I have switched back to the quantity over quality digs the last few hunts, but I'm not complaining. I'll happily dig flat buttons all day with a smile on my face . A few incredible buttons have turned up lately, but I'll let them share the details in their posts. My best find of the day was a nice intact 19th century batwing buckle. This sucker is massive - although no one on the internet machine seems to agree on its period use. Dug a partial last time, so this intact example looks killer in the display.



Cleaned up



This site had to be a tavern given the quantity and variety of buttons and coins. Here's the tombac varieties



Assorted other flats ranging from mid 1700s to 1830s



These 2 were my favorite- a Scottish thistle and scovill backmark and a nice silver wash



The only pewter has an interesting cage/square shank. Construction isn't right for the British although a few 82nd foot buttons did come from this dirt.



Also dug an assortment of furniture hardware



Lock plate/covers



Bit/leather bosses- one nice late 1600s/early 1700s one on the left



Copper and a small silver thimble



This one is a bit of a mystery- oval stone with thin copper wrap?



Possible flintlock frizzen hardware



Heavy duty copper wheel - anyone recognize the manufacturer?



Possible copper coin, looking for help with this one



One more whatzit



And finally the only coin - a 1860 IHP



All in all nothing crazy this week, but it sure beats the office. Thanks for looking and good luck this weekend.

 

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[Bill D. (VA)]

Wayda stay hot Jon. Thats a huge assortment of quality targets. Keep em comin' .....

 

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[s.c.shooter]

The whatzit reminds me of part of one of the old hand pumps that attaches to the handle and the cylinder that slides up and down to prime the pump.

 

[CRUSADER]

Always appreciate the info that comes from these threads. Cru can you post a picture of your reference material?

Its not a perfect match but you get the idea. I've always pointed out the off-set bar which are exclusively used on horse tack, not people.

It also notes primary Cat. material which if we could find I'm sure will show all the various varieties that we see. For the most part all my books over look these pretty modern & relatively common type of buckle.(If they are 18th C military related we would have more references, not the 1 mistake that has caused the confusion) That is why only the primary sources exist & these are hard to come by.

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for your expertise as well smokey, this site does cover the spread for both dates 18/19th century. Just wish I could find a period match... Maybe Cru has one

Our researchers need to track down the source material - 19th C Horse Tack Cat.s

 

[suntannedgem]

Nice Job! I'll be glad when I get too the goodies and not all the trash!

 

[smokeythecat]

I have (had) pictures somewhere. Will take a look as soon as my brain engages this am. When I did Motion Picture production, our costumers put them earlier. Haven't done any production this year, however.

 

[smokeythecat]

You really need to get back to that site. It's a treasure trove. Here's a pic of my only batwing. It's cast brass and came out from a site near the mouth of the James River in Virginia. View attachment IMG_0750.jpg It's huge, about 3.5" x 4". FYI. After my digging adventure this pm I'll look up some references.

 

[Palmetto Pony]

Jon your heavy copper wheel find is a furniture caster. I found references to Toler's furniture casters in a trade paper dated 1875 "The Workshop: A Monthly Journal Devoted to Progress of the Useful Arts". An almost exact duplicate to the caster you found is also being reproduced and sold through https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/brass-furniture-wheels-round-cup-abh?sc=11&category=117. If I had to guess I'd probably date your find around the 1830's to 1850's. Just a guesstimate mind you.

 

[birdman]

Amazing buckle, never scored a batwing. Love the colonial stuff!

 

[smokeythecat]

My big buckle I did not dig. Got it from a long time acquaintance.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Wayda stay hot Jon. Thats a huge assortment of quality targets. Keep em comin' .....

Thanks Bill, hopefully a few more early relics left in that dirt

 

[Patriot Relics]

Our researchers need to track down the source material - 19th C Horse Tack Cat.s

Spot on, I know of one refernece for 18th century horse tack, no match though http://content.winterthur.org:2011/cdm/compoundobject/collection/TradeCats/id/1277

 

[Patriot Relics]

Jon your heavy copper wheel find is a furniture caster. I found references to Toler's furniture casters in a trade paper dated 1875 "The Workshop: A Monthly Journal Devoted to Progress of the Useful Arts". An almost exact duplicate to the caster you found is also being reproduced and sold through https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/brass-furniture-wheels-round-cup-abh?sc=11&category=117. If I had to guess I'd probably date your find around the 1830's to 1850's. Just a guesstimate mind you.

Outstanding research John, thanks for the help

 

[Patriot Relics]

Amazing buckle, never scored a batwing. Love the colonial stuff!

Thanks birdman, still a few left in the dirt

 

[Patriot Relics]

You really need to get back to that site. It's a treasure trove. Here's a pic of my only batwing. It's cast brass and came out from a site near the mouth of the James River in Virginia. View attachment 1555478 It's huge, about 3.5" x 4". FYI. After my digging adventure this pm I'll look up some references.

Mine is definitely massive, at least 3.5 inches across

 

[WaterScoop]

Fruitful and productive,very nice.

Congratulations!

Cheers