Dug my first Civil War buckle today!!! Eagle sword belt plate!!

[matt092079]

I went out after work to a farm we have been pounding for almost 2 years since I first started metal detecting. We have dug tons of bullets and more than a handful of eagle buttons, coins, and various colonial buttons. Today was really slow and I was kinda all over the place hitting spots that have produced before, but weren't today. My first find was an early tombac button. Dug a few CW bullets after that. Then nothing. I was tired of walking all over and decided to leave. As I'm leaving I'm walking in a straight line through a field to get to my truck and maybe 40 feet into the field, BAM! Got a great signal, but it was close to a gravel road that runs through the farm and thought for sure a deep can as I have dug them before along there. But to my surprise I dug the hole and in slow motion I saw the buckle fly out with the clump of dirt!! I knew right away it was a buckle and checked quickly to see if it was confederate, but saw the eagle and knew right away that I had an eagle sword belt plate! Still amazing for me and with all the CW relics I have dug, this is my first buckle! Of course I started working the area a little bit and found a flat button and a pistol bullet.

This almost makes my year, unless I find that super duper silver or gold coin or a CS buckle! I'm on cloud nine right now, just because I didn't think I would ever find a buckle and not on this farm that's been pounded for 20 or so years. Just in awe! Some pics below and just wondering how I should clean the dirt off of it without ruining it. I've used a toothbrush, but was afraid water would kinda ruin the patina. Any suggestions? Thanks for looking and HH!

 

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[JmCraz8]

That's fantastic Matt!!! you'll hit that gold coin or cs plate pretty soon i'd say, congrats big time on an awesome find!!

 

[meals55]

Congrats on a great find!!!

 

[jewelerguy]

that's awesome. congrats!

 

[matt092079]

Thanks!

 

[WHADIFIND]

There is nothing that gives more pleasure than finding a "first". Unexpected finds are even more memorable! Good job!

Isn't it interesting though, how many times we read/hear "It was the last find of the day" or "I was just on my way back to the car"? When the great finds reveal themselves?

HH!

 

[smokeythecat]

Excellent find. I dug my first and last CW plate in 1991. People almost always go 50' into a field off the road to dig. I have found so much stuff in the road, well, anyway, don't skip the spots right at the roads.

 

[kyskinner]

wow awesome

 

[wvwildman]

very nice finds congrats

 

[flyinryan2]

Wow man!! Darn tax apointment got in the way of Mding. It's a huge farm I'm sure there is a few good finds still hiding there! I'm going tomorrow rain or no rain!!! Congrats again man just awesome!!!!!!

 

[RedCardHack]

Awesome Find, WTG!!

 

[VOL1266-X]

With the success you have been having Matt, I have been expecting you to dig a plate. I know somebody who can straighten it if you desire. Congrats and the first plate always seems to be the hardest to dig. WTG, Q.

 

[matt092079]

With the success you have been having Matt, I have been expecting you to dig a plate. I know somebody who can straighten it if you desire. Congrats and the first plate always seems to be the hardest to dig. WTG, Q.

I'm glad your expectations were correct, Quindy. I will let you know if I'd like to have it straightened. I kinda like relics left alone, but it would be nice if it was straight just so it could display better in a case.

 

[fishstick]

What a GREAT piece of HISTORY MATT!!!!! I bet that brings NEW LIFE to the site for you.. CONGRATS... HH

 

[kuger]

Likely wont be your last

 

[Worm-Slicer]

Nice find, a sword belt plate is still on my wishlist. The Civil War plates I've dug, I would use either a wet tissue or wet q-tip and go over it lightly and never lost any patina so far. I made sure most of the large clumps of dirt were removed gently with a toothpick or something else that would not damage the plate then just dabbed it gently all over a little at a time, using mutiple q-tips and tissues and worked great for me! Some people use a dry toothbrush, but really hard to get most of the dirt off that way, so I use this method.

 

[vaquero44]

I love to see finds like this come out the earth, something about finds like this that make me proud to be a american!

 

[Tnmountains]

Yayyy! Cloud 9. No better place to be. Congratulations. That is going to display very nice!

 

[hdmech71]

Right on. That awesome Matt. Congrats on that bad boy.

 

[granthansen]

Congrats! That's one awesome find!