Never Expected this!!!! Eagle Belt Plate

The Seeker

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Nov 21, 2005
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It has been a long time since I have had the chance to just get up on a Sunday Morning and have nothing but the Hobby of Metal Detecting as the challenge of the day! I have been so busy with work that trying to find the time to even get out for a few hours has been difficult……… But this day would be one of those days that any Treasure hunter would remember for quite some time.
The day would start with a cup of coffee and just checking a few messages on the old laptop that morning. When talking to a friend of mine Jim B about a possible place to Detect, we decided to meet that morning and check an area where some Construction has been going on. We did plenty of walking and happen to find only an old dump from the 1940’s or 50’s. We found a few old iron farm pieces, plus a couple of bottles. Nothing to jump for joy over! Walking back to the truck we decided to head down to an area along one of the old creeks that was only minutes away. I think it looks more like a river, but that’s what its called (Cattaraugus Creek). When we arrived, we took a slow walk up stream just to see if anything stood out that would be worth breaking out the detector. After a short walk we noticed a ridge about 50 feet up along the bank that looked very inviting. We decided to continue up stream a short distance but then decided to turn back and check out the ridge, and hope to see something interesting. Now as we were walking back I saw what looked to be a very small depression in one area, 10 x 10 or so. Not big at all but it was around a foot and a half deep. Talking with Jim, I said, “Were right here, lets give it 15 minutes. We find nothing we can leave.” We made the right decision!!
Now only a few minutes away from the trucks we got the detectors and started detecting! Within minutes I found an old spoon handle (copper) very thin, so that was a good sign. Moments later Jim finds a Gold Gilt flower Button. Now the hunt is on, we have a potential site with some old items. Making a great day and a long story short we ended up staying at the site for 3 to 4 hours and found a number of nice old Relics and Coins. I found plenty of spoon pieces both tin and pewter, a King George Copper with the bust still visible (n/d) the handle off an old candle stick holder, pottery shards, old key hole plate, mini balls, etc…




But what popped out down at least 12 or more inches…was the prize, and I was never expecting this of all things. Pulling out pottery, nails and glass and still getting a great hit, I took the shovel and dug in the side of the hole and out came this Eagle belt plate…It was a time to just say “yea Babe”…What else could I say.
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It was one of the items that was on my list to find…but who knew!!!! ……It was a great day with some great finds. Other coins found were a bank of Upper Canada Token and an early Large Cent.

All in all, the weather is still great here Western N.Y. and so was that Day!!!

The Seeker
 

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civilman1

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Nov 29, 2005
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If you don't know what you're looking for,most people would have walked right down and back out not thinking twice about the depression Seeker....Definetley gotta know what you're looking for in advance....Excellent job John,thank's for sharing that "beauty".Good eye and keep diggin'....HH!!
 

brnn53

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Mar 31, 2006
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Congrats on a great find! You obviously know a good site when you see it. Glad for ya!
Mike
 

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The Seeker

The Seeker

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Nov 21, 2005
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Monty said:
Once again demonstrating how much "junque" is dug for every great find. God job, glad you stuck with it. Does the plate still have the prongs on the back? Monty
Hey Monty.........The answer to your question is yes! The single belt hook is still intact. I will try to get a pic on Tnet some time later....

John
 

River Rat

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Awesome find, Seeker!!!!

;) RR
 

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Boobydoo

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Apr 24, 2006
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Congrats big time John on a MD'ers dream find.
With how hard you work it, it is much deserved.
Thanks for sharing your inspirational treasures!

Smiles!
BDoo
 

mobrigade

Full Member
Feb 23, 2005
145
1
Missouri
Seeker, your plate has been burned....you said you found shards, pottery, etc. Go back and dig it out its a firepit, there should be more goodies in the hole, dig down about 2-2 1/2 feet. Nice site, and wonderful relics.
 

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el_gral

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Pardon my newb question guys, but what era would that belt plate be from?

Very nice by the way!!
 

{Sentinel}

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You are very lucky. WOW that is a beautiful site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o
 

Marty-Graw

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Feb 8, 2006
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el_gral said:
Pardon my newb question guys, but what era would that belt plate be from?

Very nice by the way!!



the plate is a Civil War sword belt buckle....Union if I'm not mistaken
 

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The Seeker

The Seeker

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Nov 21, 2005
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MartyG said:
el_gral said:
Pardon my newb question guys, but what era would that belt plate be from?

Very nice by the way!!

This is going to be one of those sites that will be hard to identify. The items found at this site date at least 25 years before the civil war and nothing has been found that date after 1838 . So the question is......When did they start making that type of Eagle Belt plate. Plus was this Buckle made some time there after the War of 1812 as Malitia ? Will ahve to keep digging!

john



the plate is a Civil War sword belt buckle....Union if I'm not mistaken
 

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The Seeker

The Seeker

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Nov 21, 2005
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Keep on Digging!
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I have been looking at many Belt plates , thanks to everyone who have been posting and sending pictures . But still we are having a problem trying to match this one to any others ....If anyone has any close to this one please send a pic to me......I would appreciate it!

Thanks John
 

Marty-Graw

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