Complete Shoe Buckle, Coppers and Relics

[OutdoorAdv]

I had a slow start with detecting this year between work and family obligations as well as uncooperative weather. I have been working on some new permissions and doing research, but it seemed every time I was able to get out, either a site was unavailable or it rained\snowed. For the last month or so, I had a handful of lousy hunts that I didn't post on here and I was beginning to think I used up all my luck ending 2017 with two killer 1812 buttons!

Last Wednesday I was able to capitalize on some nice weather, and get a couple hours in before dark. I officially ended my bad start to 2017, with a complete shoe buckle. Shoe buckles are probably my favorite colonial era relic. This is my 3rd complete buckle and they're pretty hard to come across... especially when Ahab8 has dug nearly every complete buckle on the east coast.

Yesterday I got out for about 5 hours at a different site I scouted last winter and I wanted to give it another shot. Last winter I located this site that wasnt on any map, but the finds appeared to be mid to late 1800's. I hadn't worked the iron with the Deus yet, so yesterday I hit it hard and had a ton of fun. I didn't dig anything great, but I had a blast digging lots of targets. I also got a first... it's hard to believe, but I finally dug my first Fatty IHP! I have dug TWO flying eagles, but for some reason, a fat IHP had eluded my coil. A couple LCs also turned up as well as an engraved saddle strap guide, a fired 3 ringer, lots of pewter spoon pieces, and my favorite relic of the day.... a homemade fishing sinker.



This buckle was DEEP, between rocks and under roots and its a miracle I didn't destroy it.



It had a thick patina on it that flaked off when it dried, so I stabilized it with some Elmers.



This is the second complete buckle from this site







This fragment is interesting and I'm interested in hearing what people think its from. The site is Colonial to mid 1800's. The metal is pentagon shaped and it has an Applied Silver (thick) coating on the top.



The sides I drew in blue is where its coated in silver.



The coppers are toasted, but the IHP is very solid. The soil at this site is rough on copper, but apparently kind to pewter and nickle (in the IHP)



The iron and trash from Wed and yesterday. A few complete horse shoes and plow blades.

 

[trapperart]

That sure is a great couple of hunts, the buckle is over the top CONGRATS on it and all the other great finds

 

[Westfront]

Nice bunch of relics there! Congrats on the shoebuckle!

 

[bill from lachine]

I'd go with the complete buckle as the star of the hunt.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[cooper1841]

Very nice

 

[Ahab8]

I thought we talked about this Brad!!!! The shoe buckles and spoons are mine and the really cool buttons and awesome iron are yours....cufflinks too. Congrats on one of my all time favorite relics! I love shoe buckles. They are so unique and unlike anything from the present

 

[against the wind]

Congratulations on some really nice finds.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Nice to see you back in the iron Brad, complete buckle is a fantastic dig for sure especially given the difficulties pulling it from those roots. Glad to see the honey hole still producing

 

[CTwoods]

The hand stamped decorations on this piece date to 1690-1730 according to a archeology report dig at an east coast colonial settlement site.

I really appreciate early hand decorated work. I don't know what that piece is to, but these exact type of decorations usually are on furniture brasses and door plates.


I lost the link on another laptop, but I might be able to find it again for my own use.

 

[ironhorse]

complete buckles are very hard to come by!
your sites are just like the ones I like to hunt!

The mystery piece reminds me of fragment I found years ago, it ended up being part of chart dividers; not too sure if that's what you have, but it might get some ideas flowing

 

[OutdoorAdv]

The hand stamped decorations on this piece date to 1690-1730 according to a archeology report dig at an east coast colonial settlement site.

I really appreciate early hand decorated work. I don't know what that piece is to, but these exact type of decorations usually are on furniture brasses and door plates.


I lost the link on another laptop, but I might be able to find it again for my own use.

Thank you CTWoods! Here are some pictures of this piece at different angles. I believe its a leather strap guide from a saddle or horse tack. I also love pieces that are engraved. Such high quality and lots of character.

 

[smokeythecat]

That buckle is especially nice. Don't toss out the horse shoes.

 

[OutdoorAdv]

complete buckles are very hard to come by!
your sites are just like the ones I like to hunt!

The mystery piece reminds me of fragment I found years ago, it ended up being part of chart dividers; not too sure if that's what you have, but it might get some ideas flowing
View attachment 1413968

Thanks a ton IH! I thought that buckle was going to be another piece of deep big iron. I was blown away when it popped out, and then nervous to look at it since I was sure I would have nailed it with the shovel. ha

That's a very good suggestion. Hopefully a return trip can bag me a few more bits to it. That's odd is that its pentagon shaped, so its flat on the bottom, with the silver plated part in a point. So the silver side was obviously meant to be displayed and since its flat on the bottom, perhaps it laid down.

 

[danjsargent]

Amazing buckle! Congrats on saving that history. Thanks for sharing

 

[OutdoorAdv]

That buckle is especially nice. Don't toss out the horse shoes.

Thanks smokeythecat! I preserve a lot of iron, and complete shoes always make it into the processing queue. I've run out of room to display the iron, so they usually get processed and then stored in boxes. I've even given away a bunch of preserved shoes! I bring home all the iron and toss it in buckets by site to look through later. Its a bit out of control. ha

 

[A2coins]

Wow that is lots and lots of history I don't think I would get much sleep with finds like that. I have a display case for historical finds which is all but empty I think I need to move not that kind of History here in A2 Great job Thanks for always sharing your great finds Tommy!!!!!!!

 

[Wildcat1750]

That's a fine looking shoe buckle surrounded by lots of other wonderful stuff!

 

[Mr. Digger]

Love the shoe buckle. Congrats!!!!!!!!

 

[Scrappy]

Brad Brad Brad.... I thought Abe gets the complete buckles and I get the coppers? Lol.

About the mystery piece 'Ol Rick mentioned. I was thinking nautical dividers myself, but then thought they were, perhaps, a bit small and dainty.

Unfortunately I have the pair like Rick pictures on my ship and not at home, but here's a pair I have at home.

Great shoe buckles Brad. Amazing you nailed TWO! I think you stole Ahab's mojo! Anyway bud, I'm so happy you had a killer day hunting. You nailed it brother and it's a dream hunt for any of us. Double buckle and coppers?? Banner all the way bubba.

Haha. Cheers Brad, you are a hardcore hunter and really raise the bar with research, skill, and determination.

 

[VTColonialDigger]

Wow! Those are some really nice colonial relics! Looks like you had a good relic hunt! Nice job recovering some awesome history!!!