COLONIAL SILVER!!!!! MY BEST RELIC OF THE YEAR!!!

[coinman123]

I went to a place in which I have found found many colonial finds in the past. I got a high 70's signal on my metal detector within 20 feet of where I found an 1805 large cent. I was expecting a shotgun shell, because some show up at those numbers, but most show up in the 60's on my metal detector. Anyways, I dug it and saw what looked a clump of scrap lead peaking out of the dirt. I grab it and see that it's a beautiful silver shoe buckle. I flip it over, and it has a monogram, and a hallmark. For the next 20 minutes I looked all through the area, and checked that whole area for the other half, I found nothing. I detect for another 30 minutes, and find nothing but some bullet casings and shotgun shells

The writing on the back of the shoe buckle says, "S.P to G.R", most likely a gift given from Wife to Husband or the other way around, but considering the last initial is different, it make me think otherwise

It has a hallmark from a maker from the 1740's-1750's, and I found a complete pair of buckles made by the same maker online

I feel that this find is the best relic I found this year!



Thanks for Looking, Coinman123

 

[coinman123]

I have a small knee buckle with the same design which belonged to a soldier from the Rev War… Not saying yours is but would make me think….did you find any military buttons at that site??

I have not found anything military related at that site. Everything I find is civilian, because there were not any battles in my area. I have found other brass shoe buckles with similar designs though.

 

[coinman123]

William Haverstick has a very similar mark as well
William Haverstick, born 28 Oct 1756, died 31 Oct 1823

William Hooky has one not to far off either
William Hookey, born abt 1728, died bef 13 Jun 1812

congrats on the silver marked buckle piece

I'm not sure it is William Haverstick, for I noticed that all of his hallmarks have a dot between "W" and "H". It may be William Hooky though.

Thank You!

 

[CRUSADER]

I have not found anything military related at that site. Everything I find is civilian, because there were not any battles in my area. I have found other brass shoe buckles with similar designs though.

There are no battles in my area, but I get loads of Military stuff of all ages. Also a Military man can retire anywhere, so a civilian house site can have a military connection. Just saying, not meaning this one does.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Wow, that's a beautiful find!

 

[coinman123]

I was able to find out who the guy was on the last initials "G.R.". He was a Catholic priest from Ireland, a teacher, and a Revolutionary war solider. And he lived right where I found the buckle.

 

[coinman123]

There are no battles in my area, but I get loads of Military stuff of all ages. Also a Military man can retire anywhere, so a civilian house site can have a military connection. Just saying, not meaning this one does.

I just found out that the man who received the buckle fought in the revolutionary war, including the battle of Lexington. So there is always that chance

 

[jewelerguy]

that's really cool. some very deep research of records of the area might even reveal who SP and GR could be, possibly

 

[DigIron2]

I was able to find out who the guy was on the last intials "G.R.". He was a Catholic priest, and a teacher. And he lived right where I found the buckle.

well that just threw the neat factor way up there "Nice"

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Great Find! Woods or field? If it was found in the woods, perhaps the other fragment is somewhere close? If it was found in a worked field, that would be far more difficult. I mention this because that buckle was definitely lost - not discarded. Nobody would toss out a solid silver buckle fragment, as that would be the like throwing away cash. The buckle fragment came from an accidental loss, but how does one lose a half buckle fragment? It would seem that the missing buckle fragment could possibly be somewhere close. I hope you find it. Good luck!

 

[beez0404]

That is an exceptional find. Congratulations!

 

[CRUSADER]

I just found out that the man who received the buckle fought in the revolutionary war, including the battle of Lexington. So there is always that chance

Good research, that was what I was trying to say.

 

[OBN]

WOW, Great job on that dig!! Always a welcome site to see treasure specially when it has a Hallmark!!

 

[park pirate]

Nice shoe buckle ..