Early Relics in Missouri.. Lead Knuckles??

[umrgolf]

Two days ago I went on a permission mission about 20 miles from the camps I've been hunting on the opposite side of town. Based on research, I suspected this field had early settlements and secured permission. I've located what I believe is an old homesite that probably dates from around 1840 and was occupied no later than the 1870's. First trip I got the 1861 quarter, a few eagle buttons, and other relics.

Today, I went back for a few hours and was very surprised at some of the earlier relics coming from this small rectangular area of the field. The spoon bowls appear to be pewter, three having the shellback design, one a floral pattern, and the other a heart. Today the only CW relic was the knapsack hook and possibly the knuckles??

I haven't gotten on the web to research the knuckles yet, but they are very intriguing and I appreciate any input.

 

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[Dougshause1]

Really cool finds. But I love the gangsta CW knuckles...........

 

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[umrgolf]

How do those knuckles fit the hand?

bit small, but they'll get the job done

 

[relichunters]

Here is some information. It appears it may be civil war related.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85424439/antique-cast-iron-knuckles-possibly

http://www.johnjhayeshistoricalcollectibles.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1805

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/972771/

 

[CC Hunter]

Nice Digs!
Great asssortment of finds,
Love the spigot, recently dug one of very similar style, still has a piece of lead pipe attached. pretty piece.
I don't recall the difference in readings for pewter and 'nickel silver/brittannia metal'
I can say that it is a much more durable material and will not show edge flaking
and brittleness that pewter displays.
it would be quite difficult to break a nickel silver spoon.

How do those knuckles fit the hand?
HH to ya thumbsup

steelheadwill,

For clarification sake, "Nickel Silver" (which of course does not contain any silver) is a much different metallic alloy than "Britannia Metal". The readings on metal detectors for these two alloys, and the survival condition in excavated examples, will be vastly different.

Britannia Metal is in fact an improvement in later period pewter manufacturing. Nickel is indeed a very strong metal, as is copper (the primary alloy in Nickel Silver). Tin on the other hand, while quite shiny and resistant to many corrosive elements (hence the use in plating on steel.......as in tinned cans), can be rather brittle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

http://www.pewters.net/What-is-Pewter/Britannia-Metal-History.htm

CC Hunter

 

[Wallhangers]

Great finds Jeff, especially the lead knuckles. Although...if you hit someone pretty hard with those, is the lead soft enough that it would smash together on your fingers?

 

[oldsalty19]

 

[steelheadwill]

How do those knuckles fit the hand?

bit small, but they'll get the job done

Indeed Thanks for showing

 

[JmCraz8]

Awesome finds!!! love the knuckles and the buckle.

 

[steelheadwill]

Nice Digs!
Great asssortment of finds,
Love the spigot, recently dug one of very similar style, still has a piece of lead pipe attached. pretty piece.
I don't recall the difference in readings for pewter and 'nickel silver/brittannia metal'
I can say that it is a much more durable material and will not show edge flaking
and brittleness that pewter displays.
it would be quite difficult to break a nickel silver spoon.

How do those knuckles fit the hand?
HH to ya thumbsup

steelheadwill,

For clarification sake, "Nickel Silver" (which of course does not cotain any silver) is a much different metallic alloy than "Britannia Metal". The readings on metal detectors for these two alloys, and the survival condition in excavated examples, will be vastly different.

Britannia Metal is in fact an improvement in later period pewter manufacturing. Nickel is indeed a very strong metal, as is copper (the primary alloy in Nickel Silver). Tin on the other hand, while quite shiny and resistant to many corrosive elements (hence the use in plating on steel.......as in tinned cans), can be rather brittle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

http://www.pewters.net/What-is-Pewter/Britannia-Metal-History.htm

CC Hunter

thanks CC, great info,
I thought they were similar alloys :P
Not even close.
They sound identical when hunting in two tone mode

 

[Sniffy]

Jaw "dropper"

 

[caleb]

Awesome

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

That's kool ! 8) 8)

dawg

 

[Steve in PA]

Good digs Jeff. Those knuckles are a nice relic!!