metalev4
Bronze Member
- Aug 12, 2006
- 1,165
- 565
Ventured out for my second hunt of the season and quickly into a nice little fire pit. This pit even had a low rock wall bench on one end for the soldiers to sit and discard what we now covet. Based on the finds it was evident that this was where they sat, gambled, drank and tried to stay warm. The overcoat I with the Schuler Hartley & Graham NY back mark was a nice surprise. The pics do not do it justice, 95% gilt remaining. Some gaming pieces surfaced including cut off Spencers, brass gaming tokens (carved from epaulette scales), a chinese coin and some carved shell. My favorite finds were the Jamaica Ginger bottles. These had upwards of 90% alcohol and were considered medicine for stomach ailments and other maladies that were no doubt worsened by this vile concoction. These are 1860s however in the 1930s "Jake," as Jamaica Ginger was nicknamed was cut with tricresyl phosphate during prohibition to reduce the alcohol content, which was deemed non-toxic, however turned out to be a neurotoxin, resulting in various forms of paralysis. The terms "Jake Leg," and "Jake Walk," were coined to describe the unlucky addicts who consumed the tainted batches. Anyway, as a result of the high alcohol content they occasionally turn up in camp sites. These 3 were blown in San Francisco and the purity of the glass and fire aqua color is unmatched. So far all I have done is rinsed them out. Ended up with a couple unique relics including a red clay pipe Bowl, bone hair brush and a broken shot glass. Finally I discovered a firing range that yielded a pile of Spencer casings. Should be some other good relics among the cartridges, which will have to wait for another day. Anyway, good times, good company and some decent recoveries, Thanks for looking.
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