Field Finds - Musket ball & Antique Fishing Lure

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Got back to the field where I found the early wrist watch and some LC's for a couple of hours in the cold this morning. Unfortunately, not much to show for my efforts of digging through very frozen ground except for part of a bent up antique fishing lure and a musket ball! I did find a couple of brass horse tack rings and an unusually large piece of heavy brass with strange markings on it!

The fishing lure is marked Croft&Sons Toronto, here is some of the company history.

WM. Croft & Sons of Toronto, Ontario were established in 1855.The company was originally located in Toronto at 53 Bay Street, and then moved to 61-63 Front Street. After the well-documented great Toronto fire of 1904, the Croft & Sons business was destroyed by the blaze. The next location for the company was 126-132 Queen Street East. Croft & Sons were manufacturers and importers of many goods as shown in their catalogs. They advertise on company letterheads "Archer Brand" needles and fishing tackle. Manufacturers and importers of fine fishing tackle, makers of flies.

At least I found the musket ball, I don't find many of those here in Canada!

Also included a picture here of all the 'lead' I've found in my past three years of metal detecting.

Thanks for looking,
Dave

 

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[Msbeepbeep]

Still a nice haul of goodies, hope the ground stays soft for you! HH!

 

[ModernMiner]

Very cool. I think that may be the first fishing lure I've seen posted. Very old one too.
Congrats on some super recoveries,
MM

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

I am amazed that you are still able to dig where you are at. I hope I can get in at least one more hunt before the fat lady sings.
Looks like your into an older area, good prospects for next year.
ZDD

 

[jewelerguy]

I guess the lure once looked like this.... http://www.nationalantiquecentre.com/images/products/aaa279.JPG

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Still a nice haul of goodies, hope the ground stays soft for you! HH!

Thanks very much BB, I guess the grounds already frozen in Mass eh!
My head office is in Bangor and they tell me it's cold there!

Merry Christmas to you,
Dave

Very cool. I think that may be the first fishing lure I've seen posted. Very old one too.
Congrats on some super recoveries,
MM

Thanks very much Doug, its my first fishing related find as well! I found a website that sells some of the older lures this company made during the 40's & 50's. I sent the moderator an email asking if he could date it and send me a pic of what it looked like when it was new, I have yet to hear anything back.

Thanks again bud and best of luck to you,
Dave


Thanks Casper!

I am amazed that you are still able to dig where you are at. I hope I can get in at least one more hunt before the fat lady sings.
Looks like your into an older area, good prospects for next year.
ZDD

Thanks for your post Dave! I actually had to give up on digging a couple of decent targets, as the ground was just too frozen in spots. But as you said, "good prospects for next year".

Have a great Christmas my friend,
Dave

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I guess the lure once looked like this.... http://www.nationalantiquecentre.com/images/products/aaa279.JPG

That's it!
Hey thanks very much for finding this JG, I looked for a good half hour and couldn't find a pic!
I notice the lure you found is stamped Wm. Croft & Sons, whereas mine is simply Croft&Sons.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[johnnyblaze]

Love those old lures

I have found many in the old lake behind my house..

Blaze...

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

*UPDATE*

I just received this email from Patrick at Ontario Lures and he included a picture with this description . . .

"Lure would be 1930's and I included a picture of one I have that's similar.. Hope this helps.. Patrick"

Thanks again for everyone's interest!
Dave

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Love those old lures

I have found many in the old lake behind my house..

Blaze...

Thanks very much for your post Johnny!
Sure would've been nice if it had been complete though!

Dave

 

[Ahab8]

Did you say your head office is in Bangor Maine? I lived there for 5 years or so when I was younger. Who do you work for?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Did you say your head office is in Bangor Maine? I lived there for 5 years or so when I was younger. Who do you work for?

I just sent you a PM Ahab8!
Thanks for your post,
Dave