Gold Star ⭐️ Rosette, Trigger guard, & coin purse - dug n Shelbyville TN

[Mike N Tn.]

I took advantage of the Fall weather today & dug n a new camp I’d found n Shelbyville TN.
The gold star item was a surprise. It looks like solid gold filled n center with lead over it.
Thanks for looking at these relics. I haven’t dug this many keepers n a long time.

 

[ToddsPoint]

The trigger guard is interesting. You rarely see engraving on military arms so I’m thinking this was a civilian gun. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t used in a battle though. At the beginning of the war, confederates used every gun that would shoot. Especially in the western theater.

 

[Mike N Tn.]

Good point. It was n a trash pit n winter of 63 camp. The Rebs were issued Enfield rifles n Shelbyville along with CSA belt buckles. old rifles & accoutrements were discarded. got dark when I found trash pit. I’ll dig it out more next time.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Great finds - well done !

 

[billb]

Outstanding Achievement
Congratulations on your great finds

 

[Gare]

Very nice finds

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

Very nice group of relics!!

 

[ArfieBoy]

Nice bunch of recoveries! Congratulations!

 

[Sandog]

Could that gold star be a mold?

 

[Mike N Tn.]

I don’t think so. It is difficult to ID because of ground deterioration. The edge that’s still there shows it to b one piece. It looks like about 1/4 of an oz of solid gold was used to make it. I can see gold peaking out everywhere on top and at edges. If anyone can find a picture of another one that would b fantastic. I’ve exhausted my reference books. One reputable source has seen another one similar to my rosette.

 

[oldmxrat]

Very interesting bunch of finds, congrats!

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Super cool gaurd!

 

[Digger RJ]

I took advantage of the Fall weather today & dug n a new camp I’d found n Shelbyville TN.
The gold star item was a surprise. It looks like solid gold filled n center with lead over it.
Thanks for looking at these relics. I haven’t dug this many keepers n a long time.

Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Mike N Tn.]

Update: I sent the rosette to restoration expert Robert McDaniel to have the rim repaired and the end result is outstanding. The rosette is a pewter alloy, heavy, and was once plated all over. Also, there is a stud in the center of the rosette that probably had something like rays emanating from the star. I have been very blessed to recover this relic. Only the second five pointed star I’ve ever recovered.
Thanks for following.

 

[Mike N Tn.]

One more restoration update:
We settled on a tiny 3.5 mm sequin to cap off post. turned out beautiful.