***Gotta Dig That Iron***

[relichound]

I was down in South Carolina digging in a group hunt that had known civil war and Rev War relics; it was tough digging; although it was easy digging in the SC sugar sand soil, I could not sniff out any buttons at all- the buttons eluded my XP Deus!

I had only a late 1700-early silver ring stamped “COIN” inside the ring and a lowly kepi buckle at a foot. I decided to search a different area with some hunting buddies and decided to search a small gully washout. My first target was a low irony tone in the 40s ( I use Deus Fast, 28 KHZ.) I dug an iron Rod - not more than 5 feet away I got another irony tone in the 40s and dug about 5 inches down in the loomy sandy soil and saw the end of an slender iron Rod. I was thinking; “another junky iron Rod!”.

After touching the end I began to pull it out as it was laying horizontal in the gully. I noticed it was getting more thick as I pulled it out then noticed the socket that attached to the gun; turns out I dug an Enfield bayonet which is only missing about an inch of the tip. Although I did not dig my Confederate button this trip, I am extremely blessed by the good Lord to dig a complete bayonet which is now cooking in my electrolysis solution .

Although not the button I was seeking I was pleasantly surprised with my first bayonet. Gotta dig that iron diggers!

 

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[ajaj]

Really really cool!

aj

 

[EagleEye1]

Awesome find! I gotta be honest though, kinda dig the backpack as much too lol. I do a lot of BOB and BOL stuff etc. But yeah, awesome find!

 

[relichound]

Awesome find! I gotta be honest though, kinda dig the backpack as much too lol. I do a lot of BOB and BOL stuff etc. But yeah, awesome find!

Thanks I’m a nine year Navy Vet-thus my Navy back-pack with my name tag!

 

[Gene Mean]

Big find! Congrats, that's really cool.

 

[villagenut]

Sweet bayonet, im glad you are conserving it but your positive(red) clip is on the bayonet. That should be on the sacrificial annode. I am guessing that those leads may not represent proper + and - If that's the case then disregard. I have ruined artifacts and clips from confusing the clips.

 

[Tony in SC]

Good find on the bayonet! I usually find pieces. Good electro set up. I use it alot in my other hobby.

 

[jewelerguy]

nice!

 

[relichound]

Sweet bayonet, im glad you are conserving it but your positive(red) clip is on the bayonet. That should be on the sacrificial annode. I am guessing that those leads may not represent proper + and - If that's the case then disregard. I have ruined artifacts and clips from confusing the clips.

Villagenut -

After I took the pic I realized something didn’t look right with the setup-astute observation: Red clip goes on the metal you don’t care about sacrificing-(Positive clamp) black clip on the piece of iron you want to preserve. Thanks for your keen eye! I only had it in the bath for about a day so i think I’m ok with the bayonet.

 

[smallfoot]

Glad that was caught...That's a great find and in beautiful shape.

 

[tndirtdigger]

Nice bayonet! I dug the same type in a fire pit a couple years ago. Glad the electrolysis connection was corrected because it was pulling rust to your bayonet, lol!

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!

 

[oldmxrat]

Nice, can't wait to see it after the bath!

 

[Truth]

I love Diggin iron and doing electrolysis on it every morning it’s like a Christmas present

 

[Truth]

Man it doesn’t get better than that I can’t wait to see when it’s finish. Congratulations on epic fine

 

[cannonball]

Nice find!!! + goes to scrap, - to bayonet

 

[Hunk-a-lead]

great find, thanks for posting and digging the iron signals that I routinely pass up

 

[relichound]

great find, thanks for posting and digging the iron signals that I routinely pass up

Ed Rogers-

This was a lesson learned for me for sure as I dug a rusted iron pipe not more than 2-3 minutes earlier from the same area which rang up on my XP Deus (Deus Fast-28 KHZ). Not more than 3 feet away I get the same blasted “irony” grunt in mid 40s VDI and I knew immediately it was another junk “BAZINGA”. I thought at least I’m cleaning the site out of iron trash! Lol. Boy was I pleasantly surprises to see the complete intact bayonet not trash! This find more than made my SC trip a win win!

 

[ecmo]

Congrats on the really great dig! That will look good on display in your den or 'tecting room.

 

[old digger]

Super Nice Find!