Antebellum SILVER

BuckleBoy · Nov 5, 2012

Hello All,

Went back with Shanegalang to try and pull out anything else we could before the cane overgrew the rows. After some tiny junque, shotgun shells, and a couple other bits, I dug a crucifix. This must've been a resurrection crucifix, cause Jesus was nowhere to be found LOL. The brass cross can be seen in my photos below.

At any rate, there were a couple big items found, showing that this field is by no means worked out. I got a barrel tap deep in the bottom of a row, and also dug a pocket watch rim that was a great signal:

We got some VERY lucrative news today. Just secured exclusive permission for two large plantation properties a good distance away. They have never been detected, and the owners didn't want folks on their property for liability reasons, but we knew the right people and managed to get the green light! We will make plans to check out those properties thoroughly in the near future, since there will be colonial sites on both of them according to my research There is still a lot of un-harvested cane in the fields, and we want to have the run of the place. 8-)

Anyhow, Shane and I were digging and fairly soon I got a nice little signal. Sounded shallow, so I took out a tiny scoop of dirt. There for a flash I thought I could see a small silver coin fall back into the loose dirt, so I called Shane over for the video. Didn't get it all, due to camera malfunction, but we filmed the coin coming up which is great:

Here is the coin. An 1853 Seated Half Dime.

Well, we ate lunch, then got back in the fields and didn't have a whole lot of luck. I was trying every trick in the book to squeeze a couple more finds out of the field. there are three main ways of doing this, in my experience. The first is to lower your discrimination. The second is to widen out your search area. The third is to sweep slower and more methodically. I did all three, and didn't find much the rest of the hunt, but I did eyeball a bone four-hole button that I was pleased with. These are not common finds, with most of the buttons being either flat buttons or white glass. I also got a strange piece of brass that looks like a very plain bracelet. Not sure what that is, and I'd appreciate some feedback if anyone knows (10 o'clock position in the photo below).

Here is a photo of my finds for the hunt:

And the back and front of the half dime I dug. Nice to get one that wasn't banged up, bent, burned, or holed!

I think we're headed toward a great fall season. With a long list of sites to detect, permissions totalling over 40,000 acres in several different locations, and two months of beautiful, warm weather coming up, the finds should be excellent. The key is to balance our scouting trips with trips to known sites where we can always be sure to find a couple keepers.

Best Wishes and Happy Hunting,

The Cane Bandits 8-)

VOL1266-X · Nov 8, 2012

Any info. on the brass "bracelet"? HH with your new F75 tomorrow, Quindy.

timekiller · Nov 8, 2012

Pretty sure that one piece is off a trigger guard.It would be like the type found on 19th century percussion pistols.And likely would be from a pepper box or a percussion box lock pistol.Sorta like the pics. below.
Take Care,
Pete

BuckleBoy · Nov 8, 2012

timekiller said:
Pretty sure that one piece is off a trigger guard.It would be like the type found on 19th century percussion pistols.And likely would be from a pepper box or a percussion box lock pistol.Sorta like the pics. below.
Take Care,
Pete

Well now that is an interesting development. I thought it might be some sort of bracelet until I saw that the holes were threaded. I doubt that the ones on the pistol were threaded, rather just finished and countersunk. Do you know if they were were threaded on the pistols?

Cheers,

Buckles

timekiller · Nov 8, 2012

BuckleBoy said:
Well now that is an interesting development. I thought it might be some sort of bracelet until I saw that the holes were threaded. I doubt that the ones on the pistol were threaded, rather just finished and countersunk. Do you know if they were were threaded on the pistols?

Cheers,

Buckles

Don't look threaded from the pic. but I'll take your word for it.And see no problem if it is.Being that it likely came from a pistol & only had two attachment points to secure it to the gun threading them would make sense if I was going to build one because it would make for a stronger connection & would keep it from coming lose & wobbling around or coming off.IMHO. It's my thought on it anyway. :laughing9:

Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

timekiller · Nov 8, 2012

One last thing look at the pics. above it's plain to see none of those screws were counter sunk. :coffee2:

BuckleBoy · Nov 8, 2012

Wow! I think that's what it is, timekiller! FANTASTIC ID on that item! I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing the information with me, my friend!

Best Wishes,

Buckles

Kirk PA · Nov 8, 2012

And The Bandits win again! Oh my, 40,000 acres to explore. You are definitely going to hit a Colonial site or fifty. Kyle and I are all giddy for you, Buck. We both keep saying that you are more giddy than ever. I don't think you miss KY. Passion Pumped!

Kirk

timekiller · Nov 8, 2012

BuckleBoy said:
Wow! I think that's what it is, timekiller! FANTASTIC ID on that item! I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing the information with me, my friend!

Best Wishes,

Buckles

Glad to be of help Buck,You guy's keep hammering the soil. :thumbsup:

Maybe i can get a few more hunts in this year alot going on right now though with my Dad. :sadsmiley:

Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

bobcat · Nov 8, 2012

good stuff

Ironman! · Nov 10, 2012

Yep, looks like your going to have a great season to end the year from the finds you guys are making! Congrats on the silver and the other finds!! BTW, I finally got a chance to read your articles in the latest two W & E mags. Mighty fine job Buck!!! Congrats go to you too for the Pic. on the cover of the latest W & E mag.!!!! I've been dealing with a couple of family emergencies these past couple of months and hope to be more active soon!!!!!

IM

BuckleBoy · Nov 10, 2012

Kirk PA said:
And The Bandits win again! Oh my, 40,000 acres to explore. You are definitely going to hit a Colonial site or fifty. Kyle and I are all giddy for you, Buck. We both keep saying that you are more giddy than ever. I don't think you miss KY. Passion Pumped!

Kirk

I miss digging the coppers, but am thrilled with the silvers. Shane and I got out and he dug a flintlock trigger guard with hand engraving today. I got a couple musket balls and he got a beautiful 1832 Capped Half Dime. All I got was a stinkin Beefalo, but did pick up a plow-destroyed eagle button. One more silver for the totals. Too bad the site was trashed with aluminum cans. Made things really slow on pulling any finds of real quality!

Cheers,

Buck

BuckleBoy · Nov 10, 2012

Ironman! said:
Yep, looks like your going to have a great season to end the year from the finds you guys are making! Congrats on the silver and the other finds!! BTW, I finally got a chance to read your articles in the latest two W & E mags. Mighty fine job Buck!!! Congrats go to you too for the Pic. on the cover of the latest W & E mag.!!!! I've been dealing with a couple of family emergencies these past couple of months and hope to be more active soon!!!!!

IM

Glad to hear you'll be back in the "swing" of things!

I was pleased with the "Be Prepared" article. I felt it was one of the better ones I'd written. I have a great article coming out in American Digger sometime this upcoming year. It's on the colonial tavern site that we've been digging down here. Should be a good read, with some great photos that Tnet hasn't yet seen.

Cheers,

Buckles