Patriot Relics
Silver Member
BROWN Bess .69s, 1750's Buttplate and PEWTERs
Hey guys,
Tides were not great this weekend so I tried my hand at a few newer sites adjacent older productive tidal locations. I wanted to see just how long I could swing the mighty CTX without fatiguing so I bounced from site to site until landing on a heavy iron patch deep in the woods. This location yielded me a 1794 LC a few months back so I figured there had to be more back there. Among the iron deposits I managed a flat button and an interesting/decorative copper...cufflink? Thought it might be a locket initially, but now I'm leaning towards button/cuff.
After 3 hours of digging shotgun shells and lead buckshot the tides were finally low enough to expose a bit of the tidal zone. This particular section of shoreline was protected by British galleys (small sailing ships armed with cannons) along with loyalist privateers during the Revolutionary War. While I have recovered Brown Bess .69 caliber rounds in the past here, these pewter buttons were a first from the site. Both measure 23mm and possess intact shanks. The first appears to have a faint design along with a light border, however I cannot directly attribute them to the British. Given the construction though, certainly the right period.
Adding to my suspicion that these buttons are attributed to privateers was a brass butt plate (likely from a flintlock) along with 2 .69 caliber Brown Bess rounds. There is a stamp on the back of the plate- any help with the positive ID is greatly appreciated.
Among the surface finds was a broken Megalodon tooth and a small blown glass bottle. Thanks for looking and as always I appreciate any feedback on the buttons and butt plate.
Hey guys,
Tides were not great this weekend so I tried my hand at a few newer sites adjacent older productive tidal locations. I wanted to see just how long I could swing the mighty CTX without fatiguing so I bounced from site to site until landing on a heavy iron patch deep in the woods. This location yielded me a 1794 LC a few months back so I figured there had to be more back there. Among the iron deposits I managed a flat button and an interesting/decorative copper...cufflink? Thought it might be a locket initially, but now I'm leaning towards button/cuff.
After 3 hours of digging shotgun shells and lead buckshot the tides were finally low enough to expose a bit of the tidal zone. This particular section of shoreline was protected by British galleys (small sailing ships armed with cannons) along with loyalist privateers during the Revolutionary War. While I have recovered Brown Bess .69 caliber rounds in the past here, these pewter buttons were a first from the site. Both measure 23mm and possess intact shanks. The first appears to have a faint design along with a light border, however I cannot directly attribute them to the British. Given the construction though, certainly the right period.
Adding to my suspicion that these buttons are attributed to privateers was a brass butt plate (likely from a flintlock) along with 2 .69 caliber Brown Bess rounds. There is a stamp on the back of the plate- any help with the positive ID is greatly appreciated.
Among the surface finds was a broken Megalodon tooth and a small blown glass bottle. Thanks for looking and as always I appreciate any feedback on the buttons and butt plate.
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