TomW244
Hero Member
- Sep 2, 2017
- 976
- 2,185
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Equinox 600, Garrett AT Pro, Garrett Pinpointer, Bounty Hunter Gold Digger
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I've been searching my newish property for the last several weeks, and I've been finding a lot of stuff that dates from the mid 1910's to the mid 1930's. (And I do mean a LOT of stuff!) I've also been finding railroad-related items (including blacksmith tools) as there was once a railroad which ran next to what is currently my land. The hunting has been difficult, as most of the property is covered in newer-growth trees and unlike how you folks in the North have it, the ridiculously warm weather in my part of Florida has ensured that the vines and other forest plants continue to flourish. (I know, I know...at least I'm able to dig this time of year!)
What has been fun, though, is finding various Ford Model-T car parts scattered across several acres of the property. Based on what my friend and I have been finding, whoever lived here did a lot of work on Model-T's over the years. That, or he blew up a couple of them up with dynamite. At any rate, here are those specific finds, to date. Any time-frame information I might add regarding the finds is based solely on research I found online. I'm not a Model-T expert (or layman, for that matter). If any of you have more specific (or more correct) information, please feel free to chime in! I'm on this forum to learn and share (in that order)!
This is an overall pic of the Model-T finds.
Below are battery-related items. The first image is a battery connection "cable" (actually comprised of pressed copper plates!) next to a battery connection post. (You can see the "N" for "negative" at the top left of the part.) The second pic below is of one complete and one broken carbon battery rod used for "horseless carriages".
This is a connector end (and partial cable) for a starter.
Here is a Champion spark plug, which is embossed with the words "Champion" and the Ford script logo below it. (It's difficult to see, but there is a tiny bit of red paint on a small portion of the embossed section of the spark plug. From the information I found online, Champion sent these spark plugs directly to Ford dealerships at the time, and the Ford script logo was not found on the spark plugs available for non-dealership purchase.
My friend found this oversized spark plug, which is a "Kopper King Mfd. by The Sharp". We found info online that indicated it was used for "Rat Rods" (the early street racing versions of Model-T's). I found a print advertisement for this exact spark plug from a 1917 newspaper, however I don't know the actual date range of it's manufacture and distribution.
This is the top piece of a Holley carburetor (with a patent date of December 22, 1914). It was used in Model-T's manufactured from 1915-1919.
Here are two different radiator caps from Model-T's. The one on the left, which has the post sticking up through the middle, most likely had some form of decorative ornament attached. (In other words, I guess we've been after-market customizing our cars since there have been cars!)
Here are two different tire valve stems (including two different manufacturers). The top valve stem (found yesterday) was manufactured by the Dills-Cleveland company (and dates at earliest from 1924 or 1925). The lower valve stem was made by the Schrader company. From the info I found, it was possibly made for the spare tire and is called a "double bend" or "s" valve stem. I'm not sure of the full date range for these, but I did find a catalogue page from 1929 which depicted a drawing of the same valve stem.
These are two different valve stem covers or caps (which fit neither of the valve stems pictured above!) The top valve stem cover is a standard Schrader which we all know and associate with the Model-T. The lower valve stem cover is also a Schrader product, but it's wider and made of much thicker brass. From what I found doing research, this was the earlier version of the two and may go back to as early as 1907.
And finally, here is a Ford Model-T hubcap. (I found this item today - so this is today's find!) It is actually very heavy for it's size, as it is made of nickel-plated cast iron. It's hard to read, but the raised lettering spells "Ford Made in USA". Based on info from a Model-T forum website, this hubcap version was used on Model-T's made between 1912 and 1916.
As always, thank you for taking the time to view my post. I know that none of this information is ground-breaking, but most of it was new to me and I really enjoyed researching the history behind these items.
Be safe, have fun, and may your next hunt bring you joy!
What has been fun, though, is finding various Ford Model-T car parts scattered across several acres of the property. Based on what my friend and I have been finding, whoever lived here did a lot of work on Model-T's over the years. That, or he blew up a couple of them up with dynamite. At any rate, here are those specific finds, to date. Any time-frame information I might add regarding the finds is based solely on research I found online. I'm not a Model-T expert (or layman, for that matter). If any of you have more specific (or more correct) information, please feel free to chime in! I'm on this forum to learn and share (in that order)!
This is an overall pic of the Model-T finds.
Below are battery-related items. The first image is a battery connection "cable" (actually comprised of pressed copper plates!) next to a battery connection post. (You can see the "N" for "negative" at the top left of the part.) The second pic below is of one complete and one broken carbon battery rod used for "horseless carriages".
This is a connector end (and partial cable) for a starter.
Here is a Champion spark plug, which is embossed with the words "Champion" and the Ford script logo below it. (It's difficult to see, but there is a tiny bit of red paint on a small portion of the embossed section of the spark plug. From the information I found online, Champion sent these spark plugs directly to Ford dealerships at the time, and the Ford script logo was not found on the spark plugs available for non-dealership purchase.
My friend found this oversized spark plug, which is a "Kopper King Mfd. by The Sharp". We found info online that indicated it was used for "Rat Rods" (the early street racing versions of Model-T's). I found a print advertisement for this exact spark plug from a 1917 newspaper, however I don't know the actual date range of it's manufacture and distribution.
This is the top piece of a Holley carburetor (with a patent date of December 22, 1914). It was used in Model-T's manufactured from 1915-1919.
Here are two different radiator caps from Model-T's. The one on the left, which has the post sticking up through the middle, most likely had some form of decorative ornament attached. (In other words, I guess we've been after-market customizing our cars since there have been cars!)
Here are two different tire valve stems (including two different manufacturers). The top valve stem (found yesterday) was manufactured by the Dills-Cleveland company (and dates at earliest from 1924 or 1925). The lower valve stem was made by the Schrader company. From the info I found, it was possibly made for the spare tire and is called a "double bend" or "s" valve stem. I'm not sure of the full date range for these, but I did find a catalogue page from 1929 which depicted a drawing of the same valve stem.
These are two different valve stem covers or caps (which fit neither of the valve stems pictured above!) The top valve stem cover is a standard Schrader which we all know and associate with the Model-T. The lower valve stem cover is also a Schrader product, but it's wider and made of much thicker brass. From what I found doing research, this was the earlier version of the two and may go back to as early as 1907.
And finally, here is a Ford Model-T hubcap. (I found this item today - so this is today's find!) It is actually very heavy for it's size, as it is made of nickel-plated cast iron. It's hard to read, but the raised lettering spells "Ford Made in USA". Based on info from a Model-T forum website, this hubcap version was used on Model-T's made between 1912 and 1916.
As always, thank you for taking the time to view my post. I know that none of this information is ground-breaking, but most of it was new to me and I really enjoyed researching the history behind these items.
Be safe, have fun, and may your next hunt bring you joy!
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