1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

[VOL1266-X]

1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

With Dman still on I.R. and Tenn. Josh working, I made a solo trip for a little over 2 hours to a local 1800s homesite. The landowner is a friend and I would never have known the homesite existed there unless they had told me as no real trace remains. Dman and I had hunted the site once before but not with our F75s or his SE. Nobody seems to know how old the home was but the guesses go from the mid 1800s to late 1880s. The current landowner's Father had the home demolished many years ago.
I drove into the field and parked close to where Dman and I started picking up iron signals on the last trip 3 or 4 years ago. When I started digging horseshoe pieces and chain. I knew I was in the barn area. My best find was the iron stirrup that is of CW period civilian style.
As of late, I have been intrigued by the brass oval pieces with 2 holes in the second pic dug by several Tnet members and the thread started by Buckleboy. I can't believe I dug one today. Someone on Tnet found one recently-maybe Heavymetalnut. I believe the best guess was a "harness ornament". Mine shows traces of gold gilt I believe. I would be very interested in hearing more about it. Jump in here Steve of PA, BB, Kuger, and Creskol.
Happy Holidays and thanks for reading our Tennessee Trio posts this year, Quindy.

 

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[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

nice! yeah i have dug several and that's what i was told.some sort of saddle belt guide.i have a complete one and the other piece is shaped like this > ] that sits on top and goes through the 2 holes.makes sense that a leather belt would go through it

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Hey Quindy , nice hunt , and the harness boss is the same as one of the three that are in Mill Hunt X I had to refresh your memory , oh boy you all know what that means

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Hey Quindy , nice hunt , and the harness boss is the same as one of the three that are in Mill Hunt X I had to refresh your memory , oh boy you all know what that means

lol

 

[kuger]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

hELLO BUD,WELL YOU KNOW ABOUT AS MUCH AS i DO ABOUT EM,AS i HAVE WONDERED FOR YEARS WHAT THEY WERE AND THEN THE DISCUSSION AROSE ON HERE.(cAPS LOCK!!!)

Cool stirrup,I have an exact match to her!!

 

[treasurehound]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Nice finds Quindy. I have found those oval pieces as well. Congrats on some great finds.

 

[Steve in PA]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Quindy,

I have found quite a few of those pieces over the years and they always seem to turn up on earlier sites - late 18th early 19th century. They usually have some type of design on them. Speculation is that they were used with these decorative brackets we find on sites from the same period. The brackets seem to line up with the holes. I have heard they were some type of strap guide, but I'm still waiting to see a saddle (or anything else) using these things

Here are a couple with the brackets for comparison.

 

[VOL1266-X]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Dawg, I thought you and HMN were twins-LOL. Hey, give an old 62 year old a break-both of you you are recovering great coins and relics so quick these days that I can't keep up with your posts-LOL. Thanks for your expertise guys.
Cody (Kuger) and Steve (PA), I guess that is a good explanation for the moment but I've seen a lot of saddles and I've never seen one on them either.
Thanks Randy. It's going to be a cold one here in Tennessee this weekend. I hope you and Guy get out to hunt. You guys are finishing 2011 off with a bang!!

Don't forget to put your highlights on the "2011" forum guys and gals. HH, Quindy.

 

[tennessee digger]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Quindy. I sure don't claim to be an expert but I've always been told that those were attached to saddles. However, in my opinion only, I think that they were on horse bridles. Could be wrong and would like to know myself because I have dug several over the years. Tennessee digger

 

[Dman]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Those are some great finds. I like the stirrup. I am looking forward to Monday and getting out some. I don't know why you tell everyone you are 62 when your social security number in 000-00-0001.

 

[rebelrouser]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

great stirrup Quindy.i have found those oval things before but have not a clue as what they are....hope someone knows....for an old man like Dman says you are you dig some cool relics.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Well done Sir Q of Tenn.
Congrats on the stirrup. You can mount it on the side of your truck so Dman can step up easier.

Mystery items solved over the year:
*Hem weight - SOLVED
*Parasol slides - SOLVED
*Ornate oval piece w/two holes - The jury is still out
I have some of those too.

Good luck on Monday.
-Dug-

 

[kuger]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Well done Sir Q of Tenn.
Congrats on the stirrup. You can mount it on the side of your truck so Dman can step up easier.

Mystery items solved over the year:
*Hem weight - SOLVED
*Parasol slides - SOLVED
*Ornate oval piece w/two holes - The jury is still out
I have some of those too.

Good luck on Monday.
-Dug-

I dont recall for certain but it seems to me Buckleboys thread got to the bottom of the "oval",pieces??

Quindy,I think your stirrup goes to a McClellan saddle

 

[VOL1266-X]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Quindy. I sure don't claim to be an expert but I've always been told that those were attached to saddles. However, in my opinion only, I think that they were on horse bridles. Could be wrong and would like to know myself because I have dug several over the years. Tennessee digger

Donnie, I think Dman dug one in a Colonial site a ciouple of years ago as well. I just can't see them being that substantial based on Steve's pic. Maybe that's why they were lost? Let's go hunting again soon & tell Julia "Hi". HH, Quindy.

Those are some great finds. I like the stirrup. I am looking forward to Monday and getting out some. I don't know why you tell everyone you are 62 when your social security number in 000-00-0001.

If I'm 0001, you're 0002-LOL. The Monday excursion could lead to some major fun later and a new site. HH, Quindy.

great stirrup Quindy.i have found those oval things before but have not a clue as what they are....hope someone knows....for an old man like Dman says you are you dig some cool relics.

This cold weather makes me feel old Don-LOL. HH, Quindy.

Nice digs Q!
I'm not sure what those oval things are.

There sure are a lot of them that were lost Rob. Maybe someone has some detailed explanation as to saddle, bridle. reign guide, on harness britching, or whatever. HH, Quindy.

Well done Sir Q of Tenn.
Congrats on the stirrup. You can mount it on the side of your truck so Dman can step up easier.

Mystery items solved over the year:
*Hem weight - SOLVED
*Parasol slides - SOLVED
*Ornate oval piece w/two holes - The jury is still out
I have some of those too.

Good luck on Monday.
-Dug-

MM, the reins must not have been too wide or thick if they are guides and it looks like the one I found has gold gilt. Based on their size, may be saddle related and used as a saddle guard plate like those from the McClellan saddles?? HH, Q.

Well done Sir Q of Tenn.
Congrats on the stirrup. You can mount it on the side of your truck so Dman can step up easier.

Mystery items solved over the year:
*Hem weight - SOLVED
*Parasol slides - SOLVED
*Ornate oval piece w/two holes - The jury is still out
I have some of those too.

Good luck on Monday.
-Dug-

I dont recall for certain but it seems to me Buckleboys thread got to the bottom of the "oval",pieces??

Quindy,I think your stirrup goes to a McClellan saddle

Could be Cody. We occasionally see U.S. CW period items from horse tack sold in antique sales locally. I even bought a 1909 McClellan artillery saddle at an estate sale near Dman's home a few years ago. Just like WW2 surplus, there was CW surplus. I have also seen U.S. bit bosses in junk boxes at sales in the country. I sent BB an email and hope he chimes in on this as I read that long post and don't recall a solid conclusion. Steve's theory makes the most sense. HH my friend, Quindy.

 

[Breezie]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Hey Q, Nice digs there buddy; I particularly like the stirrup. As far as the brass oval is concerned, I think it was a decorative piece used on furniture, saddles, drawer faces, etc. Those used on drawer fronts were often engraved to denote the contents of the drawer; ie. apothecary cabinet. So basically they were generic plates. It seems they turn up on TNet at least every month. Here is Buckles post:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,175963.0.html

Breezie

 

[Steve in PA]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Well done Sir Q of Tenn.
Congrats on the stirrup. You can mount it on the side of your truck so Dman can step up easier.

Mystery items solved over the year:
*Hem weight - SOLVED
*Parasol slides - SOLVED
*Ornate oval piece w/two holes - The jury is still out
I have some of those too.

Good luck on Monday.
-Dug-

Another the jury is still out on as far as I'm concerned is the clipped corner buckles with six attachment hooks. Some say crossbelt plate some say trunk plate. I don't want to get started on that subject here on Quindy's thread, but I sure wish someone would find one attached to a trunk or a belt or something

 

[johnnyblaze]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

I have a bunch of those oval relics.

And i have found the strap bars Steve of PA is talking about...


I must say Steve it looks about right im gonna have to see if i can make some fit

Nice finds man

By the way you really only find them on colonial sites around here that site may be older than you think


Blaze

 

[VOL1266-X]

Re: 1800s Homesite Yields Iron Stirrup & Controversial Brass Oval Relic

Hey Q, Nice digs there buddy; I particularly like the stirrup. As far as the brass oval is concerned, I think it was a decorative piece used on furniture, saddles, drawer faces, etc. Those used on drawer fronts were often engraved to denote the contents of the drawer; ie. apothecary cabinet. So basically they were generic plates. It seems they turn up on TNet at least every month. Here is Buckles post:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,175963.0.html

Breezie

Thanks Breezie. The "Label" plate makes good sense and you are the "Mystery Relic Queen" for sure. Why aren't more of the oval pates labeled? HH, Q.

Well done Sir Q of Tenn.
Congrats on the stirrup. You can mount it on the side of your truck so Dman can step up easier.

Mystery items solved over the year:
*Hem weight - SOLVED
*Parasol slides - SOLVED
*Ornate oval piece w/two holes - The jury is still out
I have some of those too.

Good luck on Monday.
-Dug-

Another the jury is still out on as far as I'm concerned is the clipped corner buckles with six attachment hooks. Some say crossbelt plate some say trunk plate. I don't want to get started on that subject here on Quindy's thread, but I sure wish someone would find one attached to a trunk or a belt or something

Good question Steve. Beats me too. I sent a pic to a relic dealer friend of one of those plates that someone dug and posted here on Tnet. He said it was a trunk plate. HH, Quindy.

I have a bunch of those oval relics.

And i have found the strap bars Steve of PA is talking about...


I must say Steve it looks about right im gonna have to see if i can make some fit

Nice finds man

By the way you really only find them on colonial sites around here that site may be older than you think


Blaze

I went back there this morning J.B. and found some more buckles and harness parts. I know a lady who remembers the old home. She thinks it may have been clapboard over logs. I have not found a coin or button yet but I will and that may help us date the place. Thanks and HH, Quindy.

 

[FindingHistory1]

Just now found this thread and the reference to the oval relic; I was looking for the same after I found mine back in July 2019:
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/r...te-1700-s-early-1800-s-site-oval-2-holes.html

According to this UNC archaeology link, they classified it as an "oval brass harness boss" consistent with the late 1700s time period. See pages 318 (Fig. 6.41) and 317 of the following link re: UNC archaeology at late 1700's Ayers Town Native American site:
http://www.rla.unc.edu/Publications/...ep37/Chap6.pdf

 

[Wildcat1750]

Very informative thread...