🥇 BANNER Colonial/Civil War site yields unusual silver object

[Jason H.]

Last Sunday I headed out to a mixed colonial and Civil War site with my buddy Ron. After five years of going to this place, we have a good feel for where the old home sites are and where the Civil War camp relics are. I like to dig both. Recently, we discovered another home site near the back end of this property, so I decided to check it out in the late afternoon. On the way there, I dug a crusty 1798 Large Cent. Once there, one of my first finds was the 1875 Seated Liberty dime. Then followed flat buttons and some Civil War relics- a knapsack triangle and a variety of bullets. Then I get a decent reading in the button range. After removing a nail, it becomes an awesome signal, reading in the mid-90s on my MXT. I get out the pinpointer and hand digger and begin to uncover something silver about 10 inches down. Taking it out of the hole, I am thrilled but curious- what is this? It's either a dog or a bear, I think. It's handmade, heavy, and it appears to be pure silver. It looks like the top to a cane, but what is that atop its head? Looking inside it, something iron went through the top. Something went through its teeth and one ear is drilled out- but not the other. Does anyone know what this was or what time period it's from?
Thanks and HH,
Jason

Update: This little work of art has been identified as a officer's sword pommel from the Revolutionary War era.

 

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[chkn]

Amazing find. I want to see you on Road Show!

 

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[detroitdigger]

That's a great assortment of finds.

 

[Jason H.]

JASON!! Congrats on the BANNER

Thanks Steve! I was really surprised to see that when I logged in this morning!

 

[Jason H.]

This thing is freaking awesome. I started reading this thread from the top, curious to learn what the item is. The pipe idea sounded plausible, maybe the end of a cane, then maybe this or that.

Then Iron Patch chimes in and tells us what it IS. There be some knowledgable dudes on this site...

Again, great find!

Thanks! Yeah, there is a wealth of knowledge here and it's been a fun learning experience.

 

[Jason H.]

Nice Banner Jason. Looks good on top .
Congratulations.

Thanks, I never expected that to happen, but I knew I had something good when I saw it in the ground!

 

[Jason H.]

Amazing find. I want to see you on Road Show!

That show was actually just in my hometown! Thanks.

 

[Jason H.]

Thanks everyone! This has been a series of pleasant surprises!

 

[hamiddetecting]

 

[prolab69]

Thats awesome!! I kinda knew what it was when I first saw this post, but didnt ave the time to comment.. I posted this brass one I found about 2yrs ago, the 2nd visit to the same site is when the sword belt loop turned up, Congrats on your banner find!!

 

[surf]

Congratulations, Jason!

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Congrats Jason

 

[Fullstock]

Hi, this is my first post, but I'm a long time digger and collector. I disagree with it being a pipe tobacco tamper, I 'm reasonably sure it's a pommel from an 18th century silver mounted hunting sword, I've seen many through the years and it sure fits. The hole in the mouth would be for a silver chain that would attach lower on the sword. Great find!

 

[unclefester]

Incredible once-in-a-lifetime find Jason ! It doesn't get any better than that. Man ... is that sweet ! Congrats

 

[Steve in PA]

Hi, this is my first post, but I'm a long time digger and collector. I disagree with it being a pipe tobacco tamper, I 'm reasonably sure it's a pommel from an 18th century silver mounted hunting sword, I've seen many through the years and it sure fits. The hole in the mouth would be for a silver chain that would attach lower on the sword. Great find!

Welcome to the forum! Your sword pommel ID is right, but you didn't scroll through all the replies. The correct ID was made some time ago. You probably only saw the first page of replies.

 

[Muddyhandz]

This is one of the coolest finds I've ever seen up top!

Incredible!!!!

Cheers,
Dave.

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks, I never expected that to happen, but I knew I had something good when I saw it in the ground!

I did, I just expected it a little sooner

 

[baronvoncatania]

Hi, this is my first post, but I'm a long time digger and collector. I disagree with it being a pipe tobacco tamper, I 'm reasonably sure it's a pommel from an 18th century silver mounted hunting sword, I've seen many through the years and it sure fits. The hole in the mouth would be for a silver chain that would attach lower on the sword. Great find!

Greetings members

I am a collector of 18th century items and this is definitely a pommel of an 18th century Hunting sword. After you shot a boar or bear you dispatched it if ness with your hunting sword. That is why the pommel is shaped as a bear.
the hole in it was attached to a chain which went from the pommel to the guard. It did not have a solid finger guard.

Awesome find, it is either german, french, or British.

jim c new member.

 

[Breezie]

Congratulations on an extraordinary find and for making a well deserved banner! Breezie

 

[Deepdiger60]

Great finds ! that sure looks like a pipe tamper to me . Jim

 

[Jason H.]

Thats awesome!! I kinda knew what it was when I first saw this post, but didnt ave the time to comment.. I posted this brass one I found about 2yrs ago, the 2nd visit to the same site is when the sword belt loop turned up, Congrats on your banner find!!

Thanks, and cool pommel!