BROWN Bess .69s, 1750s Buttplate and PEWTERs

Patriot Relics

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. :thumbsup:

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Upvote 15

Old Dude

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Those .69's are a huge chunk of lead. I got my first this year before the farmer planted a cover crop. Those buttons definitely look old judging by the size of the loop on the shank.
 

parsonwalker

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EVERYTHING looks ooooooooooooold!
 

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Patriot Relics

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Those .69's are a huge chunk of lead. I got my first this year before the farmer planted a cover crop. Those buttons definitely look old judging by the size of the loop on the shank.

Hey old dude, yea those .69s cerrainy pack a punch.
 

NOLA_Ken

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The buttplate piece looks about right for a Brown Bess, but it's hard to say for certain. Not sure on the stamp inside, it looks to be an R ?
 

OutdoorAdv

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Great finds vmiairpwr07! That butt plate piece is really cool. Looking forward to hearing more about its ID.

-Brad
 

CASPER-2

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Patriot Relics

Patriot Relics

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The buttplate piece looks about right for a Brown Bess, but it's hard to say for certain. Not sure on the stamp inside, it looks to be an R ?

Hey nola, my gut was brown bess given the weight and projected size had it been complete. The stamp is either an R or H
 

Vino

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Great persistence Jon.
Im naming you the Pewter King!!
I see a real nice regement button in the near future.
 

pepperj

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Now it's not everyday that a million yr old find is picked up, nice eyeball finds on the two teeth.
 

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Patriot Relics

Patriot Relics

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Great persistence Jon.
Im naming you the Pewter King!!
I see a real nice regement button in the near future.

Thanks George, almost did a back flip when I dug the near perfect example on the left. There's more out there as Gheenoe's RP revealed a few weeks ago- just have to keep swinging :laughing7:
 

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Patriot Relics

Patriot Relics

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Great finds vmiairpwr07! That butt plate piece is really cool. Looking forward to hearing more about its ID.

-Brad

Hey Brad, feel free to throw a picture of your's up for comparison. It's a pretty close match to the butt plate that I dug.
 

OutdoorAdv

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Hey Brad, feel free to throw a picture of your's up for comparison. It's a pretty close match to the butt plate that I dug.

Thanks vmiairpwr07! I had no idea this might be part of a buttplate until I saw yours this morning.

IMG_20151019_122600.jpg
 

Mach1Pilot

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No doubt that site needs some more exploration! Well done! :thumbsup:
 

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