B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

[Merf]

B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

I got permission to hunt a new field where an 1870 farmstead once stood. 60 degrees and sunny today so I headed to the site. After about a 1/4 mile hike to the aproximate location and a 1/2 hour search I got that welcome sound of many small iron targets. [square nails]
My first non ferrous signal was the token lying on top of the ground under corn leaves.
What a great way to start the hunt. I hunted two more hours and found the B.Burnham button with lots of gilt still on it and the large lead ball [7/8 inch in diameter.]
Any info on the age of the button or info on weather the lead is from a gun is appreciated.
The IH penny is in the pics for size comparison.
Thanks for looking and best luck to all, Merf

 

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[Rob66]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

wow nice digs!!!! looks like a pain to hunt.

 

[lonewolfe]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

WoW - nice

HH

 

[Getty]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Great finds merf.Cant wait to see the rest when you get back there.good luck

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Thanks Rob, Nick, Lonewolf, and Jimmy.
I did some web research and I think the lead is a dropped, 85 caliber, pre civil war musket ball.

 

[DugHoles]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Nice finds. Bet it was hard to detect around those stalks

Cheers!

Dugholes

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Nice finds. Bet it was hard to detect around those stalks

Cheers!

Dugholes

Thanks Dug-----It is not that bad---I just follow the rows taking short swings.
I much prefer a bean field but I can not pass up any 1800s sites.

 

[Nana40]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

That token is awesome, Merf!! I know you had to play hard for those finds in that field!

Congrats on a great hunt! Nan

 

[Fisher]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Great finds Merf! WTG!

 

[ivan salis]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

old style blackpowder 12 or 10 gauge smooth bore shotgun ball "slug" for deer hunting maybe

 

[goldencoin]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

very neat token

HH
-GC

 

[Natman]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Nice digs Merf..that token is very cool, especially with a date on it. Neat how they abbreviated Illinois.

Nat

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

I love that 1861 store token, Merf! I also like your style of hunting.

Kyle

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

That token is awesome, Merf!! I know you had to play hard for those finds in that field!

Congrats on a great hunt! Nan

Thanks Nan-----It was a good workout.

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Peculiar patina on that roundball. Looks a little green. Is that typical of lead for that area?

Could there be any type of milling activity in the area?

Good point Plehbah-----You got me thinking . Thanks.
I scraped the ball with a knife and it is brass, copper, or an alloy.
It appears to be poured as there is a dimple on one side and a seam.
Now I am wondering if it is ordinance or something else.

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

old style blackpowder 12 or 10 gauge smooth bore shotgun ball "slug" for deer hunting maybe

Could be 10 guage. But I have read that some imported muskets [pre civil war] were 80 caliber and larger.

 

[Hunter]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Real nice finds Merf! With the size of that field it could take a few years to search.

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Thanks Fisher, Goldencoin, Nat, and Zoyboy.
Hope this window of opportunity does not close too quickly.
Once they plant the fields I will have to head back to the woods and parks.

 

[Merf]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Real nice finds Merf! With the size of that field it could take a few years to search.

Thanks Hunter----I only search the areas where the old farmhouses and barns once stood.

 

[Evolution]

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Great token Merf.....and right on the surface too. You always find the good stuff.