First hunt 2009 - at least there was silver

[Don in SJ]

Had a chance to get out for my first hunt of the year, although it was of very short duration, and unexpectantly wet with a rain shower, I managed a bunch of shotgun shell casings, the copper boot pieces found so often, a bell that at first I thought was one of those bells worn by hunting dogs, but upon looking at it closely, it is much thicker and heavier and older than the others I have found, so not sure the purpose of this bell, but most likely a 1900 or there about time frame.

After getting soak and wet from the shower, I decided just to walk the old road in front of the homestead and detect slowly, and got rewarded with a 1896 Barber Dime. Better than not getting anything at all, but this homestead is a bit of a mystery.

Last year my first hunt of the year was at the same site and I got a few buttons and a 1723 King George I Halfpenny. But after that the followup hunts were finding mostly late 1800 to early 1900 era artifacts and one IndianHead penny. I think perhaps there was an early occupation followed by none and then another occupation in the late 1800s for about 20 years perhaps.
Anyway, glad to get the bell and dime, but hope next hunt for a bit older finds.

Don

 

[crazyjarhead]

Nice find Don. Great looking barber and bell

 

[Mike in Berks]

Don for a 1st hunt of the year i'd be real happy with those finds 112 yr old silver and
and a horse bell i found a bell like yours awhile back here is what i know
about it Cast Brass or Bronze Bell sometimes called a Liberty Bell or Conestoga Bell
loose open mouth bells loose bells are often used on neck and body straps (horses)
1 1/2" - 3" i'm not positive but, i'd say early to mid 1800's ........... HH

 

[BomberJohn]

WTG! Sweet bell and dime! Beats my clad and pitted wheaty. LOL

 

[The Master Chief]

Keep up the great work. Awesome finds to start the new year.

 

[allen]

congrats on those nice finds...

 

[N.J.THer]

Don,
Nice finds but a Barber is a little too modern for you..lol.

The best in 2009.
NJ

 

[Nana40]

GREAT dime, Don! And love the bell. I found one similar to it a couple of years ago while hunting in the woods.

Nana

 

[topdog]

Nice finds.

 

[superficialbob]

LOVE THE BELL, GREAT DIME TOO. WTG

 

[The Buzzard King]

NICE finds!
Any day with pre-1900 silver is a good day!
Congrats!

 

[jlb783]

Very nice barber.
HH, jlb

 

[Captn SE]

Hey, Don, in my neck of the woods, I'd be doing the "happy dance" on that '96 Barber. It would probably have an "S" mintmark. $$$$$

I hope you will have a great '09, and continue to provide us all with your wealth of knowledge/Colonial era history, cleaning tips, and really old finds!!

HH,
CAPTN SE
Dan

 

[Monty]

Nice finds. With all the shotgun shells I think bird hunter and bird hunters often put bells on their dogs so they can locate them in the heavy brush. Monty

 

[dgaughan]

nice finds don can't go wrong with silver and a real nice bell to boot good luck and hh

 

[Don in SJ]

Nice finds. With all the shotgun shells I think bird hunter and bird hunters often put bells on their dogs so they can locate them in the heavy brush. Monty

I have several of the bells that are used on dogs, they are much lighter and not cast brass, at first I thought that is what it was, but based on the construction and age I ruled that out.

Don