CONFEDERATE BLOCK I BUTTON TODAY!!!

john37115 · Feb 24, 2009

Went out about 10am today with brother Kirk. I was hoping my old ankle that I sprang last week would hold out for a good hunt. I hobbled around for about an hour digging a few deepies. First the tent grommet then a chewed 3-ringer, all the while thinking my ankle really hurts. Then I dug the Confederate Block I and Kirk had disapeared and so did my ankle pain? I was busting to rub it in, so I went looking for him and he would have been 500 yards away, Turkey!! LOL
I took a couple pics of the button with my phone and left the button in the Jeep.
It is pretty fragile with a few little pieces broken away. ( Folks this is proof we need to get these relics out of the ground or they'll be lost forever.)
I showed Kirk the pics and thought about doing the chicken dance but I thought with this ankle I better not attempt it. So I opted to just ask him WHO'S YA DADDY !!! LOL We called it quits about 3pm - Kirk had to pick up the kids at the bus stop.
In conclusion: Today netted some great CW finds. A huge grommet of some sort, I took one picture of it beside the everyday sized grommet to show you how big this thing really is. A tiny little decorative face of a stick pin, what looks like a iron gun tool, an aluminum cylinder ( Looks like a lipstick tube ) about 5/8" in diameter x 1 1/2" long with a thick piece of clear crude glass in one end about 3/4" deep? This thing was about 11" deep while the CW bullets were in the 8"- 9" range. This one has me scratching my head. A couple percussion caps some three ringers and one 2 ringer with an odd base ( I don't know what type it is ), a few round pistol balls and camp lead. It's gonna be hard to top this day. Now I gotta find someone to restore this button. If you guys know of anyone that you can repair it at a reasonable expense let me know.

Thanks for looking,
John

tymcmurray · Feb 24, 2009

Love those finds!
I would take an I button in ANY condition
for my collection.

Fisher · Feb 24, 2009

Killer button! Congrats! :thumbsup:

Deno · Feb 24, 2009

John, you are so right about the need to find these relics before they are all gone. That is one
sweet button. Think about all the relics that would be lost forever if it weren't for fine people
like you and the fine people on this forum.

trusty · Feb 24, 2009

The "gun tool" looks like a pair(?) of dividers

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...ders&um=1&hl=en&rlz=1T4GFRD_enUS209US209&sa=N

VOL1266-X · Feb 24, 2009

Great finds John. WTG!!!

civilman1 · Feb 24, 2009

I wouldn't touch it John.....Awesome as it is :thumbsup:

......Sweet Day Buddy!!!!

ModernMiner · Feb 24, 2009

Nice digs Big John. Congrats on a great button. :thumbsup:

-MM-

wobax · Feb 24, 2009

Great finds! Congrats on the button! :thumbsup:

KirkTN · Feb 24, 2009

Got you 2 Genuine Confederate Buttons now. First a Script I and now the Block.

Finds like that are what really make it exciting Bro. Ya Did GOOD! I wish I hadn't been so far away so I could've seen ya when you first brought 'er out. I'd've love to gotten a picture too of the impression in the clod of dirt you mentioned. I bet you forgot all about the ankle for a while. It was a Great Day!

treasures4me2find · Feb 24, 2009

Congrats on your great looking finds. :thumbsup:

kas

john37115 · Feb 24, 2009

tymcmurray said:
Love those finds!
I would take an I button in ANY condition
for my collection.

Thanks Ty, I wish it was in great condition but hey, I guess you could say it's got character.

Fisher said:
Killer button! Congrats!

Thanks Fisher, I was using a Fisher F75 when I dug it. :wink:

Deno said:
John, you are so right about the need to find these relics before they are all gone. That is one
sweet button. Think about all the relics that would be lost forever if it weren't for fine people
like you and the fine people on this forum.

So true there is nothing more heart wrenching than to dig a great relic and have it disentegrate in you hands.

trusty said:
The "gun tool" looks like a pair(?) of dividers

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...ders&um=1&hl=en&rlz=1T4GFRD_enUS209US209&sa=N

By George I believe you may be right. What were these dividers used for? Kinda looks like a tool used for mapping :icon_scratch:

VOL1266-X said:
Great finds John. WTG!!!

Thanks Quindy, I wish you and Doug could have been there. I was fit to be tied. LOL

civilman1 said:
I wouldn't touch it John.....Awesome as it is ......Sweet Day Buddy!!!!

I wouldn't normally but it's just so fragile I'm afraid if I don't do something to try and preserve it the thing might go on and fall apart.
I've seen your finds this does not compare my friend.
Thanks,
John

ModernMiner said:
Nice digs Big John. Congrats on a great button.
-MM-

I'll trade you for your recent Reb Button :notworthy:

wobax said:
Great finds! Congrats on the button!

Thank you sir.

rtde3 said:
Heck, I'll do the chicken dance for ya!! Sweet finds Bud!

I would pay good money to see that

KirkTN said:
Got you 2 Genuine Confederate Buttons now. First a Script I and now the Block. Finds like that are what really make it exciting Bro. Ya Did GOOD! I wish I hadn't been so far away so I could've seen ya when you first brought 'er out. I'd've love to gotten a picture too of the impression in the clod of dirt you mentioned. I bet you forgot all about the ankle for a while. It was a Great Day!

Thanks brother, your days coming trust me. You can squeeze out more finds consistently than anyone I have been around. I think you and that old XL-Pro
must talk the same language. Tell him "button" - hunt em up now. LOL

treasures4me2find said:
Congrats on your great looking finds. kas

Thanks Kas

John Deere Digger · Feb 24, 2009

Nice digs, congrats.
JDD

KirkTN · Feb 24, 2009

Hey Bro, Andie is right. Here' a little info from www.relicman.com

E M Lewis, Richmond Va

E M Lewis started out as a stencil maker in Richmond Va, then sold buttons during the war. It is not clear if Lewis actually made the buttons or subcontracted them. In any case, collectors prize the buttons bearing this southern name.

john37115 · Feb 24, 2009

Andie Rigney said:
My phones dead,I just tried to call back.Hey listen,that bullet may be ur best find instead of the button.I know I was on internet this weekend looking at some dealers website and I know I seen that same bullet priced at like $300,and it was called some kind of rare Gardner variant.Correct me if I'm wrong but pretty sure.I'm racking my brain rite now trying to figure out who's site I was lookin at!!!

Your messing with me right? Please tell me your serious.
I'll see if I can find out what it is. I know it's not in my bullet book.

KirkTN · Feb 24, 2009

How bout a couple closeup pics of the bullet from the side and the bottom. Is there any mark in the base cavity?

I thought it was just a ringtail sharps when you dug it today, but after looking I think it's different.

ringtail Sharps bullet dug from the North Georgia area. 3 raised rings. About 0.545 x 1.035 inches