Durgin silver, Mercuries, 1909VDB, plus ..

[lenmac65]

I detected a former campground several times over the last couple weeks, including last night for about an hour. Lots of trash in the ground, but still found a bunch of coins. The three Mercuries were all found on separate hunts, with multiple wheat pennies each time, including this 1909 VDB. I don't usually get excited about wheat pennies, but I was happy to find this one. Last night I got this Durgin company silver spoon, which I think is their Fairfax pattern that was introduced in 1910. It has a very elegant monogram on the front, which I can't read. The back has the D hallmark for Durgin, a mysterious M, and the Smith Patterson Co name, which is probably where this spoon was sold. (Durgin was sold to Gorham in 1905, with the D hallmark continuing until about 1930.) The lock is by Bohannan and was made in Marion, Ohio, so it was probably from no earlier than 1927, the year the company relocated from Brooklyn. I have no idea what the steer medallion is from, as it has no markings or evidence of any means of attachment. The sterling ID bracelet belonged to a woman from M'Head Massachusetts, which is Marblehead . I found her in the census , which showed she was born in 1926 . If alive at 95, I doubt she would want this back. The Pepsi bottle was a surface find. I believe the 43 on the bottom denotes the year of manufacture: 1943. That's it for now. Thanks for checking out my post. Happy hunting!

 

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[Trezurehunter]

Looks like a nice outing. Congrats on the coins and relics.

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!! Nice Lock!!! V.D.B!!!

 

[HunterMF]

Nice save! I like that lock!

 

[Lenrac2]

Awesome finds!

 

[ToddsPoint]

I'm usually pretty good with monograms but you're right. That's the most confusing monogram I've ever seen. Gary

 

[Silvermonkey]

Great hunts lenmac65. The silver spoon is quite nice. It's always fun to research the history of a relic when you can. I'm guessing you will be back to this site in the near future. Keep us posted!

 

[erfranks]

Congrats on the great hunt, Great saves!!

 

[Red-Coat]

Nice little collection of finds.

Yes, you’re correct about the spoon pattern being ‘Fairfax’, introduced in 1901, and that Durgin was bought by Gorham in 1905. They continued operating in Concord until 1931, when they moved to Providence but production continued under their own name (as the Durgin Division of Gorham) until around 1940.

Fairfax was a long-lived pattern, so it’s difficult to date, and the retailer mark doesn’t really help. The Smith Patterson Company was a swanky jewellery store in Boston, Massachusetts listed as ‘Diamond Merchants, Jewelers and Silversmiths’ but selling mainly imported and third-party items with their own branding. Founded by M.N. Smith and Henry Winthrop Patterson, they operated as ‘Smith & Patterson’ between 1885-1895 before becoming the ‘Smith Patterson Co’ and continuing under that name until 1956 when they were bought out by the Jordan Marsh department store.

 

[lenmac65]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!! Nice Lock!!! V.D.B!!!

Nice save! I like that lock!

Thanks! Unfortunately, the lettering is largely corroded away; however, it was enough detail for me to make the ID. The keyhole cover and the shank still work. Wish I could find the key, as I bet this lock could still function.

 

[lenmac65]

I'm usually pretty good with monograms but you're right. That's the most confusing monogram I've ever seen. Gary

Thanks! Glad it wasn't just me. It is beautiful work though

 

[lenmac65]

Great hunts lenmac65. The silver spoon is quite nice. It's always fun to research the history of a relic when you can. I'm guessing you will be back to this site in the near future. Keep us posted!

Thanks! Only my third Sterling spoon. I do like the monogram on it, as it gives such a personal touch. I will be back to this area for sure. Nothing really old unfortunately, but enough targets to make it fun.

 

[lenmac65]

Nice little collection of finds.

Yes, you’re correct about the spoon pattern being ‘Fairfax’, introduced in 1901, and ...

Thanks! You sure know your stuff! Thanks for the additional detail and for taking the time to comment.

 

[HunterMF]

Thanks! Unfortunately, the lettering is largely corroded away; however, it was enough detail for me to make the ID. The keyhole cover and the shank still work. Wish I could find the key, as I bet this lock could still function.

It’s never too late to learn to make a pick for the lock!!

 

[xr7ator]

Nice post, sweet finds, great info and awesome spot you're working. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

 

[Elvis]

Awesome haul!!!!

 

[JeffInMass]

Fantastic finds fellow Mass hunter- tying so hard to see an "S" on that Lincoln!

 

[lenmac65]

Fantastic finds fellow Mass hunter- tying so hard to see an "S" on that Lincoln!

Thanks! The 's' must have came off during my toothpicking

 

[beetle662]

Sweet finds! Sounds like a great spot... keep at it!

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Love the silveware!