CW relic hunt on this cold and windy day. Bullets and huge button.

matt092079 · Feb 12, 2012

My cousin and I headed up to the mountains today to try and metal detect but there was snow and ice on the ground so we headed to the CW spot in Winchester. The wind was blowing something hard and fierce and the ground was frozen about 2 inches down. We both got bullets as our first dig so we were toughing it out and staying, plus that gives you a bit of a boost when ya find something worthwile. We probably stayed for about 2 hours and we both ended up with several bullets and I got this huge button missing the shank on the back though. Anyone know what period the button may be from, if it's period to the CW or not? The one bullet has melted lead on the side of it...thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, I'm gonna let my hands thaw out a little more. Happy hunting and thanks for looking.

Steve in PA · Feb 12, 2012

Your button is known as a Tombac, named after the alloy it's made from. It dates from the 1760s to about 1800.

tennessee digger · Feb 12, 2012

Love those finds! Man, you did good. Tennessee digger

gilmerman · Feb 12, 2012

We find quite a few civil War artifacts, where I live, here in Georgia. I've found three bullets that hit another in flight. They look similiar to your joined rounds but suffered more damage. Maybe yours are the result of a less than head on strike. Who knows, we find so many things we can't understand or ID.

Thanks for sharing.

matt092079 · Feb 12, 2012

Steve in PA said:
Your button is known as a Tombac, named after the alloy it's made from. It dates from the 1760s to about 1800.

Thanks for the info!

gilmerman said:
We find quite a few civil War artifacts, where I live, here in Georgia. I've found three bullets that hit another in flight. They look similiar to your joined rounds but suffered more damage. Maybe yours are the result of a less than head on strike. Who knows, we find so many things we can't understand or ID. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, not quite sure what happened. Certainly is interesting though.

shanegalang · Feb 12, 2012

What a haul! Great job :headbang:

HH Shane

matt092079 · Feb 12, 2012

Thanks! One bullet I dug had everthing in the hole, casing(gun powder included) and bullet...just not all intact! Too bad. :BangHead:

Getty · Feb 12, 2012

WOW Matt, that is a great site! Congrats on the recoveries!

matt092079 · Feb 13, 2012

Thanks Roger. This is just scratching the surface. Tons of acres on this property.

flyinryan2 · Feb 13, 2012

Cousin here, cleaned up the button and found it was a Federal general service button, Scovill Mfg Co Waterbury on the back. Also found a few nice bullets. Cant wait to go back and see what else we can find. :laughing7: