Found another hunting buddy (and silver too :) )

Joe G · Dec 22, 2007

Finally had a chance to meet up with bmanley99 and he took me to one of his favorites. Hunting woods and fields takes some patience and we definitely had that. Targets are few and far between but when the area is old, ya never know. Of course I forgot to take my camera with me so I can only post the better of what I picked up...

This looks to be a buckle for something small, like suspenders

This here is a definite "whatsit?". I know I've seen this type of thing posted around but can't recall what it is. It's not very heavy and about the size of a dime. I think it's too big to be a button and it doesn't appear to be a bell. Who knows?

It was getting late, so I was walking and swinging briskly while on my way to tell "B" I was ready to go. All of a sudden, I get this really sweet (but pretty shallow) hit. Dug my plug, reached in and found this '09 Barber quarter at about 3". Made my day. Needless to say, I stayed about an hour and a half longer

Brendan, thank's so much for the location. Funny thing is, I have the map of that area in my "check it out at some point" folder

I was wondering why the name of that road sounded so familiar! I did go there but I tried to see if I could get there from the east. Ended up just driving around and checking out some spots.

Had a great time today. Look forward to hunting with you again!

Yes, my lips are sealed

(and I won't go back there without you!)

Merry Christmas!

Joe

weasel606 · Dec 22, 2007

love the finds Joe but that barber really makes me drool

great finds and congrats to you

trusty · Dec 22, 2007

I think your whatsit is a fishing weight - sinker.

Joe G · Dec 22, 2007

trusty said:
I think your whatsit is a fishing weight - sinker.

Well, we did discuss that, but it just didn't feel heavy enough. Could be though...

Brendan M. · Dec 22, 2007

Joe,

It was truly my pleasure. I've been hunting alone since I started and definitely prefer having some good company. We're going to have to hit the woods again soon. Who knows, maybe we'll start our own Long Island metal detecting "mafia."

Congrats again on the Barber. I'm really glad my all-day adventure excursion didn't send you home empty-handed. That's a sweet coin!

Of course, your silence on our spot is much appreciated.

Have a very merry Christmas! (And to everyone else on TNet as well!)

Cheers and HH,
Brendan

P.S. -- If anyone is curious, my best finds today in the field with Joe were some neat iron relics -- a horseshoe and two HUGE spikes -- but my day-maker was a nice old silver and turquoise ring. I'll try and post some pics later.

El Cheapo · Dec 23, 2007

Great finds Joe!

I am almost certain your "Whatzit" is a CW "Zouave Ball Button"...Excelent Dig!!!

here is some on ebay for reference: http://cgi.ebay.com/ZOUAVE-CHASSEUR...ns-22-TOTAL_W0QQitemZ6636374831QQcmdZViewItem

Take care and keep swingin!

Brendan M. · Dec 23, 2007

Yeah that looks right. Nice job on the info, El Cheapo. Cool!

Joe, you had a pretty good day for yourself, didn't you? Glad my 'Hood did itself proud.

--B

Brendan M. · Dec 23, 2007

I took some pics of the silver ring I found while out hunting today with Joe G. It cleaned up nicely!

At first we thought some stones were missing, but it turned out after cleaning that two were just light in color -- one is pearl-like and another is a rose hue. The green stone on the far side also has a nice vein or something running through it; photos make it look crummy but it's actually quite nice.

There is no maker's mark, Sterling stamp, etc., but I don't think it's junk -- I dug this near a pond in very damp soil and it's still in great shape, plus the dark tarnish wiped right off with a silver polishing cloth.

It's a very unusual ring to say the least. Has anyone seen anything like this before? And/or could venture a guess as to age?

It was a good day! Christmas is a time for digging!

Cheers,
B

Goldiver · Dec 23, 2007

Nice looking Barber there! I also believe you have a Zouave Ball Button as was suggested earlier. I have about a dozen of those that I found in a Civil War fire pit along with many Staff Officers buttons.

I would clean carefully around where the eyelet is to find the backmark. All of mine are Henry VanWart backmarks, but there were other manufacturers too.

Let us know what you find.......Steve.

CRUSADER · Dec 23, 2007

Those ball or globe buttons have civilian use as well. I have had many over here. Still an old button in good nick

Bavaria Mike · Dec 23, 2007

Nice hunt and congrats on the finds, good to get out with a friend! HH, Mike

tymcmurray · Dec 23, 2007

Great hunt you two! Very nice finds too.

desertfox · Dec 23, 2007

Sounds like your Christmas started a few days early. A couple of nice presents, too. A new hunting buddy and a fine Barber coin.

The ring looks like it's from the 60's/70's can still find them on store shelves today though. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Desertfox

Joe G · Dec 23, 2007

bmanley99 said:
I took some pics of the silver ring I found while out hunting today with Joe G. It cleaned up nicely!

It's a very unusual ring to say the least. Has anyone seen anything like this before? And/or could venture a guess as to age?

It was a good day! Christmas is a time for digging!

Cheers,
B

Hey B,

That ring really did clean up nicely. I can't believe all the stones are actually there... sure did look like one or two were missing. All in all it was a real nice day. Looking at today's weather, I'd say we got it in just in time

Joe

Joe G · Dec 23, 2007

CRUSADER said:
Those ball or globe buttons have civilian use as well. I have had many over here. Still an old button in good nick

El Cheapo and Crusader: Thanks for the help. It doesn't exactly look like the Zouvae button and there's no backmark on it. However, I do think it probably is a button (and an old one at that)

Thanks again!

Joe