I was able to get out two more times before the DEEP FREEZE hit

Steve in PA · Dec 28, 2017

I had several days off and was able to get out twice over the past weekend. First outing was at a cellar hole I have been working with Thad (pa dirt-nc sand). He scored a nice KG II, a brewery token, and a military insignia. I got a Pittsburgh Railways trolley token dated 1922, a 1956 dog license, three buttons, and a very cool keg spigot key. This place seems to have been occupied from the end of the 18th century into the 1950s.

When I first dug this, I thought it was an on/off knob for a gas lamp with one side broken off. After cleaning, I found it was something much cooler! Note all the crude file marks, and the fact that it was made asymmetrical on purpose. The triangular opening tells me it is a keg spigot key to a spigot with a triangular on/off connection.

I also got an ID on this milk glass piece I found on an earlier trip to this site. Turns out it is a vintage bird feeder that would have hung on a bird cage. Unfortunately I gave to a friend before I knew what it was and now she won't give it back :dontknow:

Finally on Christmas Eve I got out to a tavern site where I have dug many coppers and Spanish silvers over the last 5 years. I was able to pull two toasted Matron Head large cents, a couple musket balls and a couple buttons.

metalev4 · Dec 28, 2017

Nice finds Steve, glad you got out a couple more times.

against the wind · Dec 28, 2017

Oh boy,, you have been busy,,
Very nice assortment of finds,
Congratulations

pa-dirt_nc-sand · Dec 28, 2017

The spigot key is a cool piece of history. It looked like a random piece of old homestead brass when it was still dirty. Earlier this year I dug a keg tap from a 1800's site (where I dug my 1/2 Reale) that had an triangular key opening as well. Steve, I thought I would escape the cold this week in NC, but it is a high of 33 today, so frigid beach detecting... Congrats on your finds and of course the LC's (I love the old coins!!)

Steve in PA · Dec 28, 2017

pa-dirt_nc-sand said:
The spigot key is a cool piece of history. It looked like a random piece of old homestead brass when it was still dirty. Earlier this year I dug a keg tap from a 1800's site (where I dug my 1/2 Reale) that had an triangular key opening as well. Steve, I thought I would escape the cold this week in NC, but it is a high of 33 today, so frigid beach detecting... Congrats on your finds and of course the LC's (I love the old coins!!)

I'm really liking the keg spigot key, which is the only one I have ever seen like this. Hopefully the spigot will turn up there on a future hunt. Here are some keg spigot parts - taps, caps, and keys

Professor of Engineering · Dec 28, 2017

Really nice finds, thanks for sharing! :occasion14:

Tired Rooster · Dec 28, 2017

Those are some very nice relics!! Great finds!

vpnavy · Dec 30, 2017

Nice finds Steve. Thanks for sharing...

Trezurehunter · Dec 30, 2017

Congrats on a nice assortment of finds.

VOL1266-X · Dec 30, 2017

Some really cool finds Steve. I would not have figured out the bird feeder. Ground frozen here too. Happy New Year, Q.

Scrappy · Dec 30, 2017

That’s a very interesting spigot key. Early with the post-cast filings. Nice buttons especially the blowhole.

Kurios1 · Dec 30, 2017

The last hunts of the season are so bittersweet. At least for me and I admit my pension to be a bit over dramatic on occasion.

Very nice you and Thad have had occasions to hunt together and recover some very cool old coins and relics. These finds are just what the doctor ordered and compliment the totality of a very successful season. Well done Steve. Getting the stuff you are searching for with those special surprises along the way is what it's all about. :icon_salut:

Steve in PA · Dec 30, 2017

Kurios1 said:
The last hunts of the season are so bittersweet. At least for me and I admit my pension to be a bit over dramatic on occasion. Very nice you and Thad have had occasions to hunt together and recover some very cool old coins and relics. These finds are just what the doctor ordered and compliment the totality of a very successful season. Well done Steve. Getting the stuff you are searching for with those special surprises along the way is what it's all about.

Thanks for the nice comments. Hopefully, we will have a few thaws this winter.