French fur trade site

[mk4125]

The sun was shining and it was time for an "extended lunch break" so I logged out of work and headed to a new piece of dirt. The truth is that I had received permission a year ago but with the spot being fairly small, and a considerable distance from Lake Michigan, I was not really expecting to find all that much. I only had a 90 minute window, and it was close to work, so I zipped on over to officially cross the spot off of my list. I know now that I shouldn't have waited a year to go there.

I took my time and slowly meandered along the upper banks finding a couple shotgun headstamps (which I consider the 'pull tabs' of the forest). I have found thousands of those over the years but ya' gotta dig em' because a brass fur trade ring sounds close. I zigzagged for a bit and made my way onto a semi-flat area and started hitting square nails. Bingo!

It took just a few minutes to realize that the site was never searched. Or not searched well. I plucked a couple rings, a lead 'whizzer', silver brooch, flat button, silver ear-bob and a bunch of other top-pocket finds. I was scanning and digging like crazy when the AT-Pro gave me a loud mid-tone...it sounded like a large piece of brass but who knows so I dug a large plug just in case...

It's obviously French (Fleur-de-lis) and appears to be some sort of item one would wear on their person. Based on research, and fellow-digger input, it would be from the 17th - 18th century and would have been used to hold something fragrant possibly...like garlic to ward off evil spirits. Creepy stuff. I would love to find out more about it so if anyone has any info I would greatly appreciate the knowledge.

 

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[Steve in PA]

That's a nice find but would also love to see the other finds you made.

 

[Squirrel322]

That thing is super cool! Great find!

 

[xcopperstax]

Very cool item. Make sure to go there and sweep til you no longer get any signals anywhere! Also go after some rain. I have a spot that is many acres and I've been over it so many times I have lost track. Just when I think there is nothing left to find I still find stuff. I swing the AT Max not too much difference!

 

[mk4125]

Totally agree. The AT Pro loves wet dirt.

 

[Reanm8er]

This is a really nice find mk, and potentially a really old find! The "Fleur De Lis" is said to represent the body feminine and the complex cage at the end of the chain is likely a diffuser which a lady might fill with freshly crushed flower petals. A way a lady might make herself more attractive using the scent of local flora instead of an expensive European concoction. I'm hoping some of the real power hitters will comment on this but I think it swell!

 

[Hawks88]

Very interesting find. Congrats and good luck. Hope you get a positive ID.

 

[mk4125]

some of it

 

[Trezurehunter]

I don't have any info, but that is a very nice and interesting find.

 

[PikesPeakCharlie]

I love it !!!! Congrats on a great find !!