Beware of the roots!!!

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

I get a little bit of poison ivy every year diggin in the old woods, but usually just the size of a dime. This one started tiny about 2 weeks ago, grew to a 2”x2” field of blisters, went dormant for a week, then quadrupled overnight. I marked the edges with Sharpie a couple days ago to see if it is still growing. Don’t know, but there is a chance my hand will just fall off like a zombie while digging this weekend...


Made it back to the spot deep in the woods where I found a DB, but could not find a typical homesite, so just pounded the little area and found 5 more buttons. The silver concave is sort of cool.

Found another site nearby at this park, not as old.

Best find was this CW general staff cuff button.


Weird ring in the shank, Steve thought this was how they secured spare buttons.
The crusty token is interesting. (Pic from web, but mine has Martin Van Buren info on the other side)

I have 3 kids and I doubt they log 2 miles in a day in reality, but maybe 7.5 miles virtually...

Good luck out there ... and watch out for those roots!

 

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[SD51]

Great finds... except for the poison ivy! I get it every year and it's no fun.

 

[Tuberale]

PA-dirt, nc-sand: a simple cure for poisong oak/ivy/sumac: cut any fresh mushroom and rub on the affected area. Mushroom will absorb the toxin and destroy them. You can even eat the mushroom afterwards. That's how the Chinese were able to make lacquerware.

 

[Steve in PA]

The worst case of poison ivy I ever got was from digging in roots before the leaves came out. It was the first time and last I ever went to this little school house site. You might also want to wash your gloves.

 

[islamoradamark]

Ive had poison ivy so bad it was all over me and I mean every where

 

[lenmac65]

Nice finds. Good luck with the ivy.

 

[cudamark]

PA-dirt, nc-sand: a simple cure for poisong oak/ivy/sumac: cut any fresh mushroom and rub on the affected area. Mushroom will absorb the toxin and destroy them. You can even eat the mushroom afterwards. That's how the Chinese were able to make lacquerware.

Where were you and your recommendation when I had my bout with poison oak? I didn't realize the roots were a source either until after I got hit and did some research. I knew enough to avoid the plant's leaves, but, the roots didn't occur to me. Your gloves, shoes, and clothing can reinfect you also until you thoroughly wash them. They make a special body wash that's supposed to keep it from spreading and help ease the itch, but, it's expensive......like almost $40 for a tiny tube good for only a handful of applications. If mushrooms will get the job done, that will be a lot cheaper for sure.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Nice finds! I found one of those Red Goose Shoes tokens several years ago in an old picnic grove here in northeastern Oregon. Yours is in much better shape than mine is!

 

[Silvermonkey]

Awful stuff, poison ivy. You have my deepest sympathies. When I get it, I get it bad. Great finds, by the way.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Go to WalMart and buy a product called Tec-Nu. It is a special soap that removes the poison oil from your skin. Several applications needed for a big exposure. I've used this stuff and swear by it. Gary

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Congrats on the great finds !

I also found the same type of Red Goose Shoes token here in Ohio a few years ago.

 

[xcopperstax]

I caught some amazing poison Ivy back in Jan. I was doing some bottle digging and was on my knees in the cut roots / dirt. It went right through my pants! Great finds! I found a button with that extra thing on the shank awhile back. I put it in the "what is it" section and no solid answers came through... we surmised that it was some kind of button keeper as well. Like for extra tough conditions maybe it was to prevent the button from being torn off? My button was from the late 1800's to early 1900's it was for life saving services which certainly involved tough conditions. That shoe thing... ha that was probably back when people walked up hill both ways to school! Thanks for sharing the great stuff!

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Very nice old spot you have there , great finds as well!!

 

[Steve in PA]

Thad, here is the button I dug in Montana with the ring on the shank.


This got me curious as to the purpose of the slip ring, so I posted it on the American Military Buttons Facebook group and here are some of the responses:

"There were a few reasons for the rings. I've seen them attached this way on period headgear as well as a period vest lined with Mississippi "I's" all attached via individual ringlets. I've also seen rings like this dug sporting multiple buttons. Many uses, but the main purpose was to eliminate sewing and allowing buttons to be removed (cleaning) or exchanged out"

"To properly clean a uniform you needed to remove the buttons first then sew them back on afterwards. On Coles Island SC my digging buddy and I found 28 navel buttons (cuff and tunic/vest size) in a 3' area. All had rings in them"

"Called bachelor rings. They were used instead of sewing the buttons on.
I dug several eagle C coat buttons with bachelor rings in an 1863 camp. I've also dug several vests and cuffs with them, in different areas, over the years"

 

[Whatdayagot]

I get the same thing same area do you wear cut resistant gloves ? I keep getting it has clear blisters and itches like crazy I have narrowed it down and believe it’s a allergic reaction or irritation from the glove . Try washing the glove in dawn dish soap and when u use the gloves try tucking your shirt under it so it doesn’t rub on your wrist I’ve been to doctor like 8 times doctors always think it’s poison something but I think it’s the gloves always starts on wrist area this may have been poison something but I was getting it too often and keep getting it always starts near my wrist try different gloves or tuck your shirt under and see if it helps

 

[civilman1]

Sorry for your luck Thad,I can roll around poison ivy all day and nothing!! Some people are like that.Love that ringed staff

 

[Trezurehunter]

Pa-Nc. Wash it lightly with Dawn dish soap and water. Dawn is the only thing that will cut thru the Poison Ivy oil. I have used this trick for years, and it works. It will cut the blistering and itching time in half. Wash it a few times a day, but remember to do it lightly, do not scrub.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Thx everyone for the tips. I’ll try some of these remedies next time I get poison ivy. I washed my coat and gloves and my Clorox bleach spray finally stopped the spread.

 

[JeffInMass]

Sorry about the poison ivy, but Congrats for all those great finds!

 

[A2coins]

Sweet find looks like it was worth it I haven't got poison Ivey yet Knock on wood oops I think I knocked to hard cause my head hurts lol