First confederate button?

[ihatedirtbikes]

I went detecting at my family’s property in Prince William County, VA. I have hunted there in the past with little to nothing found. Last year I went and found a .45 cal minie and 2 marine corps 2 piece buttons. I tried to get them dated with no luck. All I was told is that they are old.

Last weekend, a buddy of mine came along with me to the property to test out some new bang bang toys and before we left I figured take out the machine for a few mins as the sun was setting. We found a sharps .52 cal(I think) on our first hole and a brass frame buckle a few mins later.

Needless to say I had to get back out there this weekend. Today I went to another section of the property where I have never swung the coil before. Boy am I glad I got out there and chose the random location I did. I found a flat button first and was encouraged about the area. Next thing I know the iron audio on my Garret AT Pro is singing and I’m getting hits all over the place. I didn’t realize until I got home and started inspecting everything that one of the eagles on the buttons looked a little different. I’m pretty sure it’s an A.V.C. Militia button. The one cuff button I found is encrusted and I am terrified to clean it because I figure it has potential of being a good one. Probably my best days of digging and it’s even more special because it was on my family’s property that has been in the family since the early 19th century.

 

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[Worm-Slicer]

Finding what you have and with your description of all that iron, I would bet you stumbled upon a Confederate camp. You better dig the iron too, especially the big hits, could be some nice iron relics and all that iron masks lots of good brass too.

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

Yea I’ve only combed the area and there is a lot more area to check. A majority came from a 15 square yard area but the iron seems endless. I will be back everyday after work more than likely. I found several plows and other miscellaneous large iron pieces. Several appeared to be sections of barrel bands.

 

[Fullstock]

Oh man that’s a good button. I bet there is still a lot of gold on it hidden under the dirt.

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

My buddy told me that, it just seems so encrusted I dont want to damage it. I have never found a rare button before and the others I have tried to clean have not turned out great.

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

Thanks! My hearts still pumping.

 

[GaRebel1861]

Looks like you might have a good one.

 

[civilman1]

Really!! First confederate button!! I hate you What a beauty. Re-post that when you get her all cleaned up. Nice save

 

[smokeythecat]

Use tooth picks to manually clean it. You can stop at any stage you want to. Great find. DO NOT use chemicals or lemon juice.

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

I may try and commission someone to clean this for me. Anyone have any recommendations around Fredericksburg? I’d hate to destroy a rare piece of history.

 

[xcopperstax]

I may try and commission someone to clean this for me. Anyone have any recommendations around Fredericksburg? I’d hate to destroy a rare piece of history.

Looks like you have site with great potential and congrats on the great stuff you've found so far!
maybe not a bad idea. Go to a local metal detecting club. Someone there could probably help you. I used the button cleaning method that was posted on here with Naval Jelly / aluminum jelly and I almost ruined one of the best buttons I've found to date. Got to be real careful with chemicals.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Great find!!! You may try contacting the Northern Virginia Relic Hunters Association, Northern Virginia Relic Hunters Associatiion A number of members live down the Fredericksburg area (they also host a CW Show there every year).

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

Since I found a majority of these items within a smaller zone, would it be worth running the dirt through a sifter? I dont know enough about the type of camp it was but I don’t want to clear away the surface relics and potentially leave a hut or pit to be forgotten forever. I have been seeing random OLD bricks scattered which leads me to believe there may have been a hut or two.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congrats on the nice relics!

 

[A2coins]

Holy moly your parents property now that's awesome. Amazing finds bet your parents will be seeing alot of you lol. Awesome finds and post. Tommy

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

Holy moly your parents property now that's awesome. Amazing finds bet your parents will be seeing alot of you lol. Awesome finds and post. Tommy

It’s actually my grandmothers property that has been in my family for over 150 years. About 20 acres. unfortunately over the years many people have dumped building materials etc on the property so there are only a few areas that aren’t trashed.

 

[washingtonian]

Amazing. Can't wait to see all what you dig up there!

 

[HIGHSTRUNG]

Awesome finds! Congrats!

 

[ihatedirtbikes]

Just a follow up of the AVC button cleaned up a little bit.