IRON BRIGADE Strikes SEATED SILVER Today!

BuckleBoy · Oct 2, 2008

Hello All,

Let me preface this post by saying that it's been a LONG summer. We've had to wear special clothing, head nets, Heavy Duty tick spray, and take a lot of extra gear with us to tackle long-vanised spots deep in the woods. Well, I'm pleased to announce that it is time to bid farewell to the gear:

The machete for slashing through heavy brush, the length of rope for rappelling down cliffs, two camelbacks full of water, compass (and the list goes on!) will take their places on the closet shelf until planting in the spring. Whew!

So now, to the post.

Kindafoundabuckle, Bonzaibrandi, Rodeo Recon, and I hit two sites today. Worked the first one pretty well, and put a hurting on the second one. :wink:

The first spot didn't make much sense from the road. It looked like an odd spot for a house, but trusting the research and the GPS, we got permission from the farmer and hiked up the hill. Once we were up there, we could easily understand why the house was built there--the view was beautiful.

Finding the iron patch, we got to work--but the finds didn't start coming up until an HOUR into the hunt! (Four man-hours.)

I scored the first find--a lowly toe tap. But it was enough to increase the FEVER with which we canvassed the knoll.

Pretty soon I got a broken signal and flipped out a coin (which had probably been on edge in the ground):

It was a welcome sight to see--even though it was crusty: An 1892 V Nickel :thumbsup:

Here's Mr. Rodeo Recon exhibiting his Professional Detecting Style, right before he made the next good coin find of the day, an 1863 IH "Fatty" (pictured below):

Kindafoundabuckle was back with us--after recovering from his surgery--and he hit the sites today with Grit and Resolve, taking occasional breaks to pace himself. (This photo also shows the great view from the knoll.)

$000 KFB\'s Break.webp$

The finds started to slowly come up...oil lantern pieces, harmonica reeds, one piece of the thin brass covering from the outside of a harmonica, pocketwatch gears, and the like. Bonzaibrandi got a big brass wedding band, and this great silver-gilded suspender clip with a lion's head on it.

When the finds started to dwindle drastically, we widened our search area. When the finds dwindled again, we ate our PB&J sandwiches and talked about the game plan for the rest of the day. Here's a photo of the Original Duo: Professional Detectorists Kindafoundabuckle and BuckleBoy:

After double-checking with the property owner we then hopped in the car and drove to the second site. Bonzaibrandi took the car right up to the site--in the middle of a GIANT, cut soybean field. (And let me tell you, there is NOTHING that gets the blood pumping like a Cut Field!)

We hopped out, grabbed our gear, and wasted no time in getting to work. 8) If one of the most beautiful sights is a cut field, then the only thing More Beautiful is a cut field with detectorists in it. :wink:

Don in SJ · Oct 2, 2008

Wow, another great post, super photos and a wide diverse group of finds. I am beginning to think that the age of the homestead and the amount of iron is on a sliding scale, that colonial sites are the cleanest, then the early American to pre-civil war get a bit more junky, the CW era thru the turn of the century, start getting more and more junky with now the mason jar lids appearing, and then the WW1 era to modern sites have all the junk you ever wanted in one spot.

Glad you all are back to the easier hunting of fields, I just do not have that luxury in this area, unless I start going further than my normal hunting range, which may have to happen soon. Sure is a big difference in hunting style, effort needed between the heavily wooded, underbrush sites and field hunting.

Look forward to your next post, I'm sure it will be another Iron Brigade success story.

Don

kindafoundabuckle · Oct 2, 2008

Let me tell the rest of the Tnet members how much fun we had that day. Even though I didn't make the find of the day I think I enjoyed it most because it was the first I have been able to get out in many, many months! On Top of it all I got to use my Fathers old Bandido because I had to sell my DFX, 1270, and all my coils to help make ends meat while I was off work for the surgery I had on my upper spine. I have NEVER used a "beep" machine for any length of time until that hunt. To be honest I was lost for the first few hours but got the hang of it. Over the years BB and his trusty 1266 could tell me if something was brass, lead, coin, ETC. I started to figure that out with my Bandido towards the end of the day. I would not sell that machine for 10,000 dollars because like I said it was my Dads and he is no longer with us. It was cool to hunt with his machine and must admit when nobody was looking got sorta teary eyed. When I found my little Indian I said under my breath "thanks pop" I do miss you so.

Now I must thank Buckleboy for keeping a fire under my a$$ to get out and dig again. He paid for pretty much everything for me that day due to my sorry financial situation because of my surgery and me missing work. It was his research that found the site and he was nice enough to let me walk right in the middle of it and pointed me in the right direction where he thought I would have the best chance for a find and I'll be at the second site my first hole was my Indian. Thanks pal!

The word passion would not describe what I felt that day and what I feel right now. I cant wait until we hit it again and until then happy hunting to all.

KFB

BuckleBoy · Oct 2, 2008

xlt nh said:
Absolutely Awesome!! That field is so HUGE and FLAT...NICE!!

Hope you all dig a boat load more to show us soon...

HH, Hank 8)

Thanks, Hank. There's just something about being in a field that big--and going toward the one spot in that big place that holds old coins, relics, buttons, and the like. I love it.

TreasurdiggrNY said:
Great pics/ post, congrats to you and your hunting buddies on the finds I was just curious though, with all the talk of iron masking and all, how many of the finds were found after pulling out a chunk of iron and re scanning the immediate area? Good Luck at your spot there.
Glenn

Thanks, Glenn! I found exactly two targets this trip that were masked by big iron. I opened the hole on each one, dug out the big piece of iron, and then re-scanned, and there was a brass target in there. I don't remember what the second one was, but I know that one of them was a brass thimble. (Early this spring, the same thing happened to me with a 1700's Half Reale--which was all the convincing I needed to dig the iron!) Besides, with four people digging, it doesn't take long to get the junk out of the site so that you can hunt it properly.

ModernMiner said:
BB,
Great post and beautiful photos. I love the way you lay out your posts. From start to finish it's like reading a story. The IB must have felt like free spirits shedding all of that wood gear and roaming an open cut field finally.
Way to go on all of those super coins and relics. An 1800's silver is still on my list.
That's neat how Brandi found a ring with an identical "18K" stamped on it after we were just discussing the stampings on another post. Weird.
Congrats to all of you,
MM

Thank you for the kind words, MM. It was wonderful to be out in the low-70-degree weather with just a machine and a shovel--and the breeze blowing. Nice to not have 30lbs of gear and clothing sticking to ya that has been soaked in tick poison. :tard:

You will find your 1800s silver this year, MM. That's my prediction.

Colonial Silver Zeus said:
Great hunt for the crew. That half dime looks to be in super shape. Is that another buckle I see at the top right of the iron pile? If so it should be savored. That is a nice pictorial to go along with a cool story. 8)
Chris

Thanks, Zeus. Your opinion means a lot to me. That buckle went the way of the rest of the junk iron--to the recycling. I don't save much of the iron, because I don't have space for it.

Colonial KirkPA said:
That is definitely one nice wilver! Keep it up, guys!

Kirk

Thanks, buddy.

woodspiritcarver said:
Great story and great finds BB. I always look forward to reading your posts. That is one huge pile of iron you have got there. Let me guess, you dig ALL signals?
HH
Jeff

beep dig beep dig beep dig... :wink:

Colonial Zoyboy · Oct 2, 2008

Nice job on the halfie, Iron Brigaders! :thumbsup:

You guys know how to look for those long-forgotten sites.

Buck, I disagree with your iron buckle recycling idea. :nono:

In my opinion, that iron buckle is up there with the buttons, harmonica reeds, and other artifacts that were lost by a settler. :icon_salut:

Make me proud, buddy, and preserve that buggard for future generations to see! :thumbsup:

Kyle

BuckleBoy · Oct 2, 2008

kindafoundabuckle said:
Let me tell the rest of the Tnet members how much fun we had that day. Even though I didn't make the find of the day I think I enjoyed it most because it was the first I have been able to get out in many, many months! On Top of it all I got to use my Fathers old Bandido because I had to sell my DFX, 1270, and all my coils to help make ends meat while I was off work for the surgery I had on my upper spine. I have NEVER used a "beep" machine for any length of time until that hunt. To be honest I was lost for the first few hours but got the hang of it. Over the years BB and his trusty 1266 could tell me if something was brass, lead, coin, ETC. I started to figure that out with my Bandido towards the end of the day. I would not sell that machine for 10,000 dollars because like I said it was my Dads and he is no longer with us. It was cool to hunt with his machine and must admit when nobody was looking got sorta teary eyed. When I found my little Indian I said under my breath "thanks pop" I do miss you so.

Now I must thank Buckleboy for keeping a fire under my a$$ to get out and dig again. He paid for pretty much everything for me that day due to my sorry financial situation because of my surgery and me missing work. It was his research that found the site and he was nice enough to let me walk right in the middle of it and pointed me in the right direction where he thought I would have the best chance for a find and I'll be at the second site my first hole was my Indian. Thanks pal!

The word passion would not describe what I felt that day and what I feel right now. I cant wait until we hit it again and until then happy hunting to all.

KFB

It took me a while to even be able to reply to what you said above. I have been interested by posts here before. I have been amazed. And I have laughed.

But I have never been so moved by something posted on this forum. I don't think I can say anything more than that right now.

Ohio Jerry · Oct 2, 2008

Awesome post Buckleboy. I really feel like part of the hunt with all the cool pictures. That pile of iron is impressive for one hunt. I know i should take a lesson from it but i tend to pass on most of the high pitched squeels that my dfx gives off when it passes over iron,and focus on the non ferrous signals which usually keeps me occupied. Nice assortment of coins but that seated is the icing on the cake!!!! Congratulations Iron Brigade and KFB i'm glad to see you back out swinging and digging old coins!!
Jerry

civilman1 · Oct 2, 2008

Cool Story and Pic's Buckle's as alway's....I know what you mean on the gear,those backwood's spot's we usually would just "basecamp" it and make an iron pile and leave it......Fanny pack,detector and diggin' tool's from now on.Congrat's to you all on some Excellent Keeper's.This is the time of year when it start's getting good for everyone hopefully.Best of Luck with the Brigade :thumbsup:

willybgood · Oct 2, 2008

awesome post as always guys

Detectingfreak · Oct 2, 2008

Very nice job on all of the civil war items! I now know it takes a lot iron in order to make excellent finds!

Congratulations once again!

DD-777 · Oct 2, 2008

Buckle - major congrats to you and the rest of the "Brigade". Great story and great pics - almost felt like I was there (I wish :wink:

). Can't wait to see what else y'all pull out from there... :thumbsup:

KFB - Glad you were able to get out - I too was moved by your comment. I'm sure your Dad was right there with you the whole time. Hope you get back to 100% soon and "keep on swingin"... :thumbsup:

To the Iron Brigade...

BuckleBoy · Oct 2, 2008

rtde3 said:
Great Post! Thanks for taking us along with all the nice pictures! I bet you feel like your walking down hill all the time now without all the gear! Very cool finds! Good job on all that digging to get to the good stuff! You guys Rock!

Yeah--walking down hill for sure! You Rock too, Mr. Gold Coin at the Shark Pit Guy! :thumbsup:

zaxfire69 said:
Awesome finds Buckleboy. Nice coins and relics. I think out of all your finds I am more interested in your Hat that you have in your first picture of your gear there. With the Recon Team patch on it. Did you know someone in Macv-Sog?

That patch and hat belong to Mr. Rodeo Recon. Thanks for your reply--I'm sure Rodeo will be on here eventually to answer your question. Did you like his brand new Multi-Cam

I got the speech about that stuff when he got it--pretty darned cool--and High-Tech for Camo.

chopper said:
Great post! You guys need some welding gear, you could turn all of that iron into some awesome 40 ft. idol to the Detectin' gods. Or build an iron detectin' robot! Every few posts you could show us pics of the iron evolution.

Seriously though, great finds! I'm envious of you guys having a crew of friends to detect with. I can't seem to get any of my friends into it or find folks close enough to detect with on a regular basis.

Then the 40 Foot Tall IRON Robot which was built buy IRON Robots will sacrifice six-foot tall IRON Robots to the IRON Robot GODS. And they will come back to earth in an IRON spaceship and take all their little IRON spawn out of the soil so that we won't have to deal with them getting in our way ever again!

Took a while to find such great friends to detect with. Had some ups and downs in the early stages, but all these folks are like family to me.

kimsdad said:
Great post & even greater finds!!

Congrats on the fine coins. When I saw that pile 'o' iron, I thought "Man that's a lot of junk", but looking at it again, I see some pretty interesting pieces in there!!!

Thanks for taking us with!

Thanks for your kind words, kimsdad.

Some interesting things...but still a whole lotta junk. 8)

muttandjeeps said:
What a great hunt and narrative. Kentucky is looking better and better!

What was she looking like before? A She-dog?

There's good stuff in Kentucky--but there are also a good many folks who don't know where to look. :wink:

Evolution said:
Great post!! I'm glad you all had so much success on this hunt. I really enjoy reading posts that relate the story as it unfolded. Obviously having a camera in the field with you is necessary for this. It makes you feel like you were there. Kind of like reading a picture book and pausing to admire the pictures. Keep up the good work Iron Brigade.

Evo,

I always try to post the type of post that I would most like to read--the kind that I can sip some coffee and enjoy looking at lots of cool photos that help me feel like I'm a part of it all.

I put a lot of time into writing the posts and getting them to look right, because I care a lot about sharing good stories with the forum.

:thumbsup:

rodgerdodger said:
Great Post Buckleboy.
Nice pictures and story.
The half dime is very nice along with the
the other coins.I also liked the pile of Iron.

Wasn't too keen on carrying the IRON to the car...but other than that, yeah it was a good hunt. :P

Colonial KirkPA said:
Buck,

Holy crap, that is a lot of iron! How did the coins sound? Irony? Solid?

I bet that homestead was nulling like a "You know what."

Keep it high!

Kirk

Well... the coins varied. Some of 'em weren't that great--but the brass was even trickier. Yes, there was nulling like a "She-Dog" there.

But after it started to get a little cleaner, it was fun to hunt. Some of the brass bits that were deeper were one-way signals.

Don in SJ said:
Wow, another great post, super photos and a wide diverse group of finds. I am beginning to think that the age of the homestead and the amount of iron is on a sliding scale, that colonial sites are the cleanest, then the early American to pre-civil war get a bit more junky, the CW era thru the turn of the century, start getting more and more junky with now the mason jar lids appearing, and then the WW1 era to modern sites have all the junk you ever wanted in one spot.

Glad you all are back to the easier hunting of fields, I just do not have that luxury in this area, unless I start going further than my normal hunting range, which may have to happen soon. Sure is a big difference in hunting style, effort needed between the heavily wooded, underbrush sites and field hunting.

Look forward to your next post, I'm sure it will be another Iron Brigade success story.

Don

You know, Don--that's interesting... My oldest spot this year was also one of the worst in terms of iron...but I can't decide whether it is because of so many years of occupation, or its age range. Hard to separate the two sometimes. I'll have to give this one some thought. I don't think I'll be hunting too many post-WWI homes this year. I HATE digging aluminum! :stop:

I think I've dug five pulltabs and a few pieces of can slaw all year.

-Buckles

John Deere Digger · Oct 2, 2008

Great post, really loved the pictures. Nice seated and indians. You guys are the iron brigade, look at that pile of iron. HH
JDD

daytondigger · Oct 2, 2008

Looks like a great day detecting, congrats on the coins and artifacts. I'm still waiting on my first half dime.

Michiganne · Oct 2, 2008

BB: Excellent post, great pics, superb finds! And I love that iron pile....something I can relate to.

Keep digging!

p.s. Nice to hear people are looking out for their friends. :hello2:

kindafoundabuckle · Oct 2, 2008

DD-777 said:
Buckle - major congrats to you and the rest of the "Brigade". Great story and great pics - almost felt like I was there (I wish ). Can't wait to see what else y'all pull out from there...

KFB - Glad you were able to get out - I too was moved by your comment. I'm sure your Dad was right there with you the whole time. Hope you get back to 100% soon and "keep on swingin"...

To the Iron Brigade...

Thanks for the kind comment. I caught myself saying come on "pop" lead me to a good find! Dad bought that machine at least 16 years ago so he could spend time with me his youngest of three sons. When I was using it on that hunt and my hunts in the future I did and will feel like I'm spending time with him. I could not have asked for a better Father and was truly blessed to have him.

KFB

halfdime · Oct 3, 2008

Great post, great pictures, great finds!

Dman · Oct 3, 2008

Way to go Nice finds.
Dman

TreasurdiggrNY · Oct 3, 2008

Thanks, Glenn! I found exactly two targets this trip that were masked by big iron. I opened the hole on each one, dug out the big piece of iron, and then re-scanned, and there was a brass target in there. I don't remember what the second one was, but I know that one of them was a brass thimble. (Early this spring, the same thing happened to me with a 1700's Half Reale--which was all the convincing I needed to dig the iron!) Besides, with four people digging, it doesn't take long to get the junk out of the site so that you can hunt it properly. Smiley

Thanks for the answer BuckleBoy, I mostly beach hunt and hit the parks for coins. I have a few old foundations to hunt and went thru just to get a feel for things. I didn't find much of anything, except a lot of iron, like a 10-20ft. ring around the exterior sides of the foundations. The sites are not deep in the woods so they may have been cherry picked. I've kind of put these sites on the back burner because of the obvious task at hand. I've offered to have a couple of buddies over to the sites but no takers. After seeing and hearing how you and your crew does it gives me a renewed interest in these spots. Maybe I'll just break the site down into one-man, hunt-size sections and go for it. Good Luck and continued success to you and your hunting partners.
Glenn

BuckleBoy · Oct 3, 2008

Ohio Jerry said:
Awesome post Buckleboy. I really feel like part of the hunt with all the cool pictures. That pile of iron is impressive for one hunt. I know i should take a lesson from it but i tend to pass on most of the high pitched squeels that my dfx gives off when it passes over iron,and focus on the non ferrous signals which usually keeps me occupied. Nice assortment of coins but that seated is the icing on the cake!!!! Congratulations Iron Brigade and KFB i'm glad to see you back out swinging and digging old coins!!
Jerry

You know, it's much harder to be left with nothing but BIG IRON signals at the end of the hunt--and no energy or desire to dig 'em out for a few keepers that are masked. We dig it as we get it--and towards the end of the hunt, if we're getting tired, we may leave a piece or two for next hunt...but it's a lot easier to dig the big iron as we go--otherwise it'll never get dug, and the finds that it's masking will never be found.

-Buck