Patriot Relics
Silver Member
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Thread Owner
Hey guys,
Now with 2016 in the rear view, I can finally take a moment reflect on the history saved and new friends made over the last year. Countless hours spent researching and scouting in the field certainly did not disappoint. New permissions along with a bit of coastal scouting proved key in another productive year. As a military officer, my passion is early militaria...in particular marked buttons. These personal items help to validate research by linking a specific unit to a battle or occupation. Locating these sites borders on obsession
but the proof is in the pudding.
One particular coastal ferry site, later fortified by the British and torched by Patriots, produced my favorite digs. Incredibly I was able to recover an 18th century mortar showing clear signs of the bombardment. Hard to imagine the heat required to melt bell metal. This pestle could very well been used to make medicine for transient troops.
The site also produced a partial brown bess musket barrel, iron ladle, bit bosses, tankard handle, and handful of .69 round balls.
While relics recovered at the site certainly told some of the story, I desperately wanted to recover a marked button. I got my wish when this 30th Regiment of Foot button appeared at the bottom of the plug.
Also managed to recover an additional British pewter- a seldom seen 67th Regiment of Foot
Finally, I rounded out the Revolutionary War era finds with a Continental Lottery Coat button.
Also dug the only known example of an Army Officer cuff (1784-1792) and added Rattlesnake cuff to the collection
Here's a group shot of my 18th century military buttons with the new additions
Aside from Revolutionary War relics, my next favorite digs are affiliated with the War of 1812. While there was no action in Charleston, our founders certainly thought the British would emulate the invasion plan executed by Cornwallis. The troop build up here certainly increases the odds of finding these early buttons.
I added a Light Artillery, Script Infantry, 13th Infantry, US cuff, Navy Officer cuff, and a pair of 1821 artillery eagles.
Here's a group shot of the 1792-1821 buttons
Didn't recover many Civil War buttons this year, but did check the elusive SC tree button off the bucket list
Also managed an Eagle cuff and kepi button
As far as coins go, did have a bit of success- 1782 1 Real, 1773 Cut 2 Reales, and 1850 1 Real
On the US side- dug my first Morgan Silver dollar 1897, 1842 Half Dime, and three trimes!
Coppers did not come easy, but did manage a Hibernia, KGII, and 1778 French SOL
Favorite non military relics were these early 1700s harness bosses
Best silver was this 18th century blood letter and open top thimble
As if these weren't enough, I checked a big one off the bucket list early in the year. With a gracious invite from Dirtstalker to a permission that was destined to become a concrete slab, I recovered the lowcountry relic hunter holy grail- 1837 Slave Hire Badge.
Later that month I saved a partial tag
With that, another incredible year spent saving history here in the lowcountry- hopefully 2017 will continue to produce some great relics. Thanks for reading and good luck this season!
Now with 2016 in the rear view, I can finally take a moment reflect on the history saved and new friends made over the last year. Countless hours spent researching and scouting in the field certainly did not disappoint. New permissions along with a bit of coastal scouting proved key in another productive year. As a military officer, my passion is early militaria...in particular marked buttons. These personal items help to validate research by linking a specific unit to a battle or occupation. Locating these sites borders on obsession
but the proof is in the pudding.One particular coastal ferry site, later fortified by the British and torched by Patriots, produced my favorite digs. Incredibly I was able to recover an 18th century mortar showing clear signs of the bombardment. Hard to imagine the heat required to melt bell metal. This pestle could very well been used to make medicine for transient troops.
The site also produced a partial brown bess musket barrel, iron ladle, bit bosses, tankard handle, and handful of .69 round balls.
While relics recovered at the site certainly told some of the story, I desperately wanted to recover a marked button. I got my wish when this 30th Regiment of Foot button appeared at the bottom of the plug.
Also managed to recover an additional British pewter- a seldom seen 67th Regiment of Foot
Finally, I rounded out the Revolutionary War era finds with a Continental Lottery Coat button.
Also dug the only known example of an Army Officer cuff (1784-1792) and added Rattlesnake cuff to the collection
Here's a group shot of my 18th century military buttons with the new additions
Aside from Revolutionary War relics, my next favorite digs are affiliated with the War of 1812. While there was no action in Charleston, our founders certainly thought the British would emulate the invasion plan executed by Cornwallis. The troop build up here certainly increases the odds of finding these early buttons.
I added a Light Artillery, Script Infantry, 13th Infantry, US cuff, Navy Officer cuff, and a pair of 1821 artillery eagles.
Here's a group shot of the 1792-1821 buttons
Didn't recover many Civil War buttons this year, but did check the elusive SC tree button off the bucket list
Also managed an Eagle cuff and kepi button
As far as coins go, did have a bit of success- 1782 1 Real, 1773 Cut 2 Reales, and 1850 1 Real
On the US side- dug my first Morgan Silver dollar 1897, 1842 Half Dime, and three trimes!
Coppers did not come easy, but did manage a Hibernia, KGII, and 1778 French SOL
Favorite non military relics were these early 1700s harness bosses
Best silver was this 18th century blood letter and open top thimble
As if these weren't enough, I checked a big one off the bucket list early in the year. With a gracious invite from Dirtstalker to a permission that was destined to become a concrete slab, I recovered the lowcountry relic hunter holy grail- 1837 Slave Hire Badge.
Later that month I saved a partial tag
With that, another incredible year spent saving history here in the lowcountry- hopefully 2017 will continue to produce some great relics. Thanks for reading and good luck this season!
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