Found a beautiful SOLID SILVER Revolutionary War spur today..........

Devonrex · Jan 23, 2012

silver plated brass spur (circa 1775) which has the figure 8 loops with one set of link belts still attached for attachment to the leather straps passing around the boots instep. I hunted hard and unfortunately could not find the other set of link belts. I've seen a few of these spurs before but never have I seen one with the actual link belts still attached. This was found close to where we won our independence from England. I couldn't be happier to have found this!!! UPDATE: Upon closer inspection (and thanks to a few sharp posters) this spur is SOLID SILVER!!!! The belt links are brass which is why I originally thought this was silver plated. I can't believe this!!!!! HH Devonrex

jasminekurt · Jan 23, 2012

Thanks for sharing us what you've got. Its a remarkable one.

CMDiamonddawg · Jan 23, 2012

Incredible discovery :icon_thumleft:

how did you get the circa 1775 ? Gen. George Washington had silver spurs , but I am having a tough time finding pictures of them for a comparison to your spur . His spurs are still at Mt. Vernon Gallery. Focusing on the more public persona of George Washington, this gallery features artifacts relating to his military career and presidency. Washington’s sword, silver camp cups, and a pair of silver spurs he gave to a soldier at Valley Forge so that he could ride to Boston for much-needed supplies are displayed in addition to a variety of objects pertaining to Washington's inauguration. Big Congrats

Devonrex · Jan 23, 2012

CMDiamonddawg said:
Incredible discovery how did you get the circa 1775 ? Gen. George Washington had silver spurs , but I am having a tough time finding pictures of them for a comparison to your spur . His spurs are still at Mt. Vernon . Big Congrats
[/quote0] Thanks for that information...I never knew George Washington had solid silver spurs or they were displayed at Mt. Vernon. As for the date, it was just a guess. The earliest coins I have found at this site are 1773 halfpennies (2). This site has yielded 7 French Regimental buttons and it is documented the French Army under Rochambeau was in my area in 1781 and stayed for several months after our victory at Yorktown. This style of spur, from what I've now been told, with the figure 8 loops, could date from the mid 1600's through the time of the American Revolution. Jamestown was settled in 1607 which is not to far from the area this was discovered. Devonrex

sscindercoop · Jan 24, 2012

Great find!!!! From looking at the pics I would have guessed the spur was tinned brass, Do you think its an English link belted silver spur? Are there any hallmarks? Once again great find!!!!!!!! :headbang:

steelheadwill · Jan 24, 2012

JerV3 · Jan 24, 2012

That is a awesome spur man.

Hope it all pans out. Looks pretty old to me. Has the look of silver also. I would love to come across a rev site here in pa. Maybe one day. Va is a great state to hunt in.

HH Jer

PikesPeakCharlie · Jan 24, 2012

CRUSADER · Jan 24, 2012

Its not silver, a type of copper-alloy similar to tombac.

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=7255&cat=all

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=5673&cat=all

The date range is quite wide & maybe late 17th into the 18th C

Bell · Jan 24, 2012

I agree with Crusader. But just to chime in on the plating discussion I believe various cultures have had different forms of plating for thousands of years.

Valley Ranger · Jan 24, 2012

Don't feel so bad if its not silver. It's still a great find. I got fooled by a pewter spoon handle last year that had been converted to a sewing bodkin. It dated to the 18th century as well.

Hutch911 · Jan 24, 2012

Sweet!

cam9457 · Jan 24, 2012

That is a dream find

kayden · Jan 24, 2012

Now thats something you dont see every day!....WTG... :thumbsup:

hogge · Jan 24, 2012

Saw this earlier. Knew it wasn't silver but waited for someone else to chime in before I did. Appears to be pewter, or copper/tin alloy. The dirt sticking to it, along with color and small pitting along some of the edges gives it away. Coin silver comes from the ground, basically how it went in. Ferous metals will tend to let the dirt and minerals in the soil, stick to them, and are harder to clean. It's a real nice relic, but NOT silver. Congrats....................Hogge :headbang:

Devonrex · Jan 24, 2012

well it appears I did get fooled...... Crusader and the others were correct. I didn't realize they made early spurs out of this metal. I have always been amazed at how tombac buttons come out of the ground - now I know why my spur looks this way. I should correct the heading - silver spur NOT

but still an early find. I'm still elated with finding it, but have to admit I was dreaming last night I had found George Washington's spare spur...lol Devonrex

Joe88 · Jan 24, 2012

Awesome find!!!
Congrats!!

Joe

CRUSADER · Jan 25, 2012

Devonrex said:
well it appears I did get fooled...... Crusader and the others were correct. I didn't realize they made early spurs out of this metal. I have always been amazed at how tombac buttons come out of the ground - now I know why my spur looks this way. I should correct the heading - silver spur NOT but still an early find. I'm still elated with finding it, but have to admit I was dreaming last night I had found George Washington's spare spur...lol Devonrex

As I said, it could be even earlier than Rev War, but needs a Spur Expert to be sure. What is great about it, is its near complete & has the 'gromets' (for want of a better word) that held the buckle. In my ploughed fields, all I get is pieces of this type of buckle & none as good as this. So you have plenty to be pleased with :headbang: