Im Still Alive! Gun Flint, Pipe Stems, Trade Bead, Mystery Brass Clip

BuckleBoy · Jul 5, 2014

I'm Still Alive! Gun Flint, Pipe Stems, Trade Bead, Mystery Brass Clip

Hello All,

Just wanted everyone to know that I'm still alive. Fought the 105 degree heat index down here for these finds. Basically just finishing up a grid on an old site. First thing I found was the French amber-colored gun flint. It was staring up at me when I got out of my truck.

Was picking up a large quantity of pipe stems, so I thought I had a chance at something the rain had washed out. Ended up with one measly flat button, a large bronze nail, a sword hanger that has a snake's head on it, and a blue trade bead that was burned by the cane fires.

Oh, and I got a clad quarter.

Was pleased with the gun flint and trade bead though. I think we've only picked up 4 or 5 gun flints down here in 2 1/2 years.

This sword hanger. Certainly an iron clip at one time on the back, long since rusted away.

I'm sure that the cane harvest this fall will give me the jolt I need, but right now I'm just a little psychologically beaten by the extreme heat and humidity. Last year we hunted all summer in it, but had some very good virgin sites. This summer it's finishing up grids, finding the last bits from old sites, and scouting. The scouting can be exhausting with lots of walking and distance needing to be covered in calf deep mud, mosquitos, and 100+ heat index. Wish we had done more scouting earlier on in the year.

Happy Hunting,

Buck

Ia.FurTrade · Jul 5, 2014

Nice finds, BB! Maybe a sword hanger?
Iowa Dale

BuckleBoy · Jul 5, 2014

Ia.FurTrade said:
Nice finds, BB! Maybe a sword hanger?
Iowa Dale

That was my initial thought, but can't find an example that is close...

treblehunter · Jul 5, 2014

Pipe stems are cool, It's amazing I have not found one in my digs, some of the spots Iv'e dug I would think I would have run into at least a piece of one? Cool finds.

GatorBoy · Jul 5, 2014

Looks like the ring from a horse bit/bridal

Msbeepbeep · Jul 5, 2014

Congrats nice relic finds!

It must have been an endurance contest between you and the heat! It's making me tired just reading about all the slogging thru the mud, and the relics are barely waiting for you to get out of the truck to save them! Next they will be throwing themselves into the truck! All you'll have to do is sit there with the windows down...but watch out for the big iron, that can smart! GL. HH!

vpnavy · Jul 5, 2014

GatorBoy · Jul 5, 2014

Nice amount of stems for one hunt.
Do you ever dig or sift nearby?
I've found a few intact bowls that way.

ANTIQUARIAN · Jul 5, 2014

The mystery hanger with a snake's head on it is a cool find Buck! :occasion14:

I have yet to find a pipe stem in any of the fields I hunt, but lots of pottery shards! :laughing7:

Dave

detectahead · Jul 5, 2014

When I was in my teens my father was in the coast guard and we were transferred to Governors Island (smack dab in the middle of the harbor of New York City). I use to find pipe stems everywhere including bowls right on top of the ground! There are two castles on the island, one built in early 1600's the other 1700's. The latter has the traditional star shaped moat around her. We use to dig for bottles below the draw bridge and threw buttons away by the handfuls. I get sick now when I think about it!

GatorBoy · Jul 5, 2014

Ahhhrr..now I am...thanks

BuckleBoy · Jul 5, 2014

GatorBoy said:
Nice amount of stems for one hunt.
Do you ever dig or sift nearby?
I've found a few intact bowls that way.

Would need to be below plow depth for a complete bowl I'd imagine. Is that your experience too?

GatorBoy · Jul 5, 2014

Yeah..or preferably in a nearby creek or creek bank.

VOL1266-X · Jul 5, 2014

At least you got out BB. I spent most of the day raking hay. With all those pipe stems, Diggergirl must have been with you with her eagle eyes. Your mystery relic may be CW related. Here's an iron version I dug in a Gen. John Hunt Morgan C.S.A. cavalry camp. Someone identified my relic and your find may be a version of the link strap? HH, Q.

ModernMiner · Jul 5, 2014

treblehunter said:
Pipe stems are cool, It's amazing I have not found one in my digs, some of the spots Iv'e dug I would think I would have run into at least a piece of one? Cool finds.

I'm in the same boat as TH. I have yet to dig one piece of a pipe stem yet. Dug a crack pipe once, but no pipe stems. :tongue3:

I see you're still working your way up to that elusive Barber quarter with the Washington. Baby steps. :laughing7:

Congrats on the finds BB. I couldn't take detecting in that kind of heat.
-DUHg-

HEAVYMETALNUT · Jul 6, 2014

nice save BB.i'd lean towards a sword hanger too

Old Dude · Jul 6, 2014

Congrats on the clad quarter buck! Don't see you post them very often, lol. Nice to see you back.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Greylock · Jul 6, 2014

Nice finds Buck. Banner on the clad quarter! Just kidding. That snake hanger is a killer find. Do you eye all those pipe stems or are some coming up when ya dig? I only have a few fields I hunt but never found one on top of the ground.

got2dig · Jul 6, 2014

BB, nice hunt. I pulled the same hanger up that you have. It's CW but I have not got a good ID on it. But the cool part is two feet to the left I dug this button. As you can see it's a Louisiana. They come off a hill over looking the R&R. Very cool finds. Let me know if you get a good ID on this one. HH.......