Barber Half Dollar & an 1862 Boot Pistol to Boot

Silver Tree Chaser

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I haven’t much time to post lately, but I never found a boot pistol or any type of gun and decided on taking the time for this quick post. The barrel and wooden grips sadly deteriorated away a long time ago. It’s a Frank Wesson .22 boot pistol, manufactured in Worcester, MA and dates to 1862. It was a concealed type weapon carried for personal defense. This site also offered up a Barber Half and a Barber Dime only 20’ apart in a field that was mostly overgrown, and yes – it’s got me thinking what else might be found if the field was cut low. The boot pistol was found on the other side of the property near a cellar hole.

I added a few more finds recovered so far this summer, but I also tossed in some interesting lead recoveries from a Continental Army campsite from the Revolutionary War; they were recovered back in the spring. I would like to post them as a catch-up post. I’ve been too much of a lurker lately. Good Hunting to all T-Net Members!

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pistol and coins as dug

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pistol and coins after being treated

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Here's a non-dug Frank Wesson pistol. the internet is so awesome. I was able to ID the pistol in about five minutes, although it sat in the trunk of my car for the better of a day :tongue3: - I thought it was a kid's cap gun until I thought better of it recalling the heavy weight of the pistol's frame.

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A nice Liverpool Halfpenny Token - I dug this coin and the Liberty Seated dime below at the site where my GWI button was recovered back in 2014. Soil is quite forgiving of old coppers.

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reverse side of Liverpool token with crisp 1792 date

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1875 Liberty Seated dime

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My son spotted the Liberty Seated dime in the hole in about a nanosecond and snatched it up as fast as a rattlesnake strike.

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My one and only love token. It's a bit strange - no reeded-edge and engraved on both sides.

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Other side of love token.

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Lead balls from the Revolutionary War campsite. One of the balls had extraction marks from being pulled out of a barrel - jammed ball.

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Lead balls make into a whirlgig/buzzer and some very interesting finds - gambling chips. One was taco'd from a plow strike. My buddy invited me to this spot where he found quite a few chips, all of which were engraved with numbered marks - /, //, ///, etc.
 

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Upvote 35

Evolution

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Great finds there. :thumbsup: The boot pistol and halfpenny token are stunning. Get back there and find the barrel.
 

OP
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Silver Tree Chaser

Silver Tree Chaser

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Very nice finds !! But having your son there to play in the dirt with Dad is my favorite!!

It's his favorite too. After seeing it, he tells people that he is world famous. Who knows? All he needs is a couple of catch phrases and perhaps some cable network will sign him up for his own treasure hunting reality show.
 

Bill D. (VA)

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That's a cool love token Jim, but that half penny token is killer!! Very unique and in awesome condition. Glad to see you're getting out for a little swinging.
 

Scrappy

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Nice post! I knew there would be more old treasures not mentioned in your title...

Amazing half penny token. And the condition? It just doesn't get any better than that...

The love token engraved on both sides is a rare find. It's simply amazing!

Thanks for such an awesome post Jim!
 

OutdoorAdv

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Awesome post! That boot pistol is killer... something like that is a dream find for me and hopefully one day it happens. I've never seen a Liverpool token and that thing looks great. I really like the ship and shield on it and yours has a very nice patina. Great finds man.
 

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Silver Tree Chaser

Silver Tree Chaser

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Nice post! I knew there would be more old treasures not mentioned in your title...

Amazing half penny token. And the condition? It just doesn't get any better than that...

The love token engraved on both sides is a rare find. It's simply amazing!

Thanks for such an awesome post Jim!

My thanks to you all other members for the kind compliments. Oftentimes it seems that I'm too busy to post finds with work, family, etc. All the encouragement provided by forum members will keep me going - researching, sweeping, digging, and of course, posting on T-Net. Thanks again for all the nice replies! :thumbsup:
 

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Congratualtions on the great looking relics and coins! :occasion14: GL & HH
 

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