Killer Early (1690-1720) Complete Buckle, 1853 Half Dime, Brass Shield Pin?

Ahab8 · May 9, 2015

This complete buckle that I found is by far my favorite so far. It's an early style. You can date it to 1690-1720 by the chape style (thanks Bill D.). This thing is so solid I think it could be used today. The place I found it is very interesting and may produce more early finds. I also found a KG there. The 1853 Seated Half Dime is my first half dime and the detail is really nice on it. Here's where I need some help guys. I dug this brass or copper shield shaped item with obvious attachment points on the back. It came from beside a colonial cellar hole. There's a design on it but it's hard to make out. I first thought it was an eagle but now I don't believe it is. There's 3 very distinct lines on the bottom then a design above. I believe the shield was a symbol of patriotism but I have no idea what this was and what it attached to. I would really appreciate everybody's input on this one. I also found an 1864 2 center and an IH. There's also a V nickel that's absolutely destroyed and a few mystery items. Thanks for the help guys

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

robfinds said:
Well I said you had to up your game. Looks like you just did Ahab.. Nice finds.

Rob Rob Rob I can't keep up with you buddy but I'm doing my best. Any news on that coin yet?

Iron Patch · May 10, 2015

Ahab8 said:
Lol yep just another lucky #8 buckle. I can't believe how many of these I find. A silver one would be nice

It is very possible, and at least digging the numbers you do it gives you a shot. Several years back I dug a couple small broken pieces of what would have been one heck of a nice marked silver shoe buckle. I've never seen one posted that was as nice as this one would have been if intact. The site was also the location of a Loyalist officer button which was the first of its type.... so no doubt it was his buckle.

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

Iron Patch said:
It is very possible, and at least digging the numbers you do it gives you a shot. Several years back I dug a couple small broken pieces of what would have been one heck of a nice marked silver shoe buckle. I've never seen one posted that was as nice as this one would have been if intact. The site was also the location of a Loyalist officer button which was the first of its type.... so no doubt it was his buckle.

Man that would have been quite a find if you dug the button and complete silver buckle

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

guardez said:
the brass tube is a ramrod guide pipe for a muzzle loading rifle. the drilled hole on the tab is for attachment to the stock.

Guardez

Great info Guardez. I had no idea. Thanks

Iron Patch · May 10, 2015

Ahab8 said:
Man that would have been quite a find if you dug the button and complete silver buckle

Was not my site, and the guy who found the button had no idea. Was quite a shock opening his email and seeing something that no one knew existed! By the time I got to the site it was fairly beat, and not a surprise because it was very small. I did get some targets though, the buckle pieces, and also an 1812 Navy button.

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

Iron Patch said:
Was not my site, and the guy who found the button had no idea. Was quite a shock opening his email and seeing something that no one knew existed! By the time I got to the site it was fairly beat, and not a surprise because it was very small. I did get some targets though, the buckle pieces, and also an 1812 Navy button.

Let me ask you....how often do you disagree with the experts like Don T on these id's? I obviously don't know enough to make an educated identification. But it seems like way too many of the Welsh plume shields show up and in some pretty random places to be 23rd related. I have no other reason for doubting the Id and I'm not questioning anybody's expertise it just seems like there's a lot of disagreement about this stuff

romeo-1 · May 10, 2015

Ahab8 said:
Open invitation but as you can see it's just a bunch of modern junk here in Maine fellas.... You don't want to waste your time

Maine is only a short ferry ride for me...I may be knocking on your door as soon as I get my passport sorted out...

Great finds by the way...an excellent assortment of all my favorite things!

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

romeo-1 said:
Maine is only a short ferry ride for me...I may be knocking on your door as soon as I get my passport sorted out...

Great finds by the way...an excellent assortment of all my favorite things!

Come on down on the Nova Star. Pretty sure your country still won't let me in lol

david680 · May 10, 2015

Ahab8 said:
Thanks david you're absolutely right. Think if I mention not finding a New England Shilling I'll find one next week? Lol

Hey, its worth a try. When I found my half dime a few weeks ago, my immediate wish list was either that or a three cent piece. Sometimes it works like that. I'll take any little bit of luck I can get.

CRUSADER · May 10, 2015

Never seen 2 watch winders together, thats got to be pretty rare!

Iron Patch · May 10, 2015

Ahab8 said:
Let me ask you....how often do you disagree with the experts like Don T on these id's? I obviously don't know enough to make an educated identification. But it seems like way too many of the Welsh plume shields show up and in some pretty random places to be 23rd related. I have no other reason for doubting the Id and I'm not questioning anybody's expertise it just seems like there's a lot of disagreement about this stuff

Well I don't think I'd win too many debates about this stuff with Don

....but I have talked to him here and there about things that were sort of a judgement call, and pretty much every time he said what I expected, or the info. he provided did make sense to me. The last time was the 62nd pewter buttons I found which were not backmarked, but he said they were most likely post war/1812, and I was sort of feeling that way too even though I was hoping they'd be Rev War. That said, the experts can definitely disagree because often times it does come down to an educated guess, and if those experts happen to own a particular piece that is in question, then you can be pretty sure they'll be on the side that is favorable to that item.

hunting deer · May 10, 2015

Great finds! Nice half dime. Congrats!

CRUSADER · May 10, 2015

OK, you sucked me in. That Prince of Wales motif is used for many regiments & not just the one mentioned. In fact to attribute it to anyone without concrete proof is wishful thinking. In fact it most likely is not connected to a regiment at all, it was a pupular design for patriotic civvies. I do agree it went on a horse though, could also be early 19th C.

pepperj · May 10, 2015

CRUSADER said:
Never seen 2 watch winders together, thats got to be pretty rare!

That's what I thought also having seen the two together, it also has another part of one on the ring it's that or it's the part that connected the keys to the chain. Either way they might not have the appeal of the buckle but they're a rarer find I feel.

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

Thanks Cru and others. I appreciate all of the input.

Ahab8 · May 10, 2015

Hey I just wanted to publicly wish IP a Happy Mothers Day. You're a great mom bro :laughing7:

Vino · May 10, 2015

Ahab8 said:
Hey I just wanted to publicly wish IP a Happy Mothers Day. You're a great mom bro

Hey he definitely is like a mom with you..
What would you do without him??

Iron Patch · May 10, 2015

Well ain't this a big ole 23rd badge I dug up about 10 years ago.

Vino · May 10, 2015

Iron Patch said:
Well ain't this a big ole 23rd badge I dug up about 10 years ago.

Nice!! Looks like a lid to mason jar??

Scrappy · May 10, 2015

Old Dude said:
Yeah, didn't Brad buy a boat big enough to ferry half of Tnet out to one of your islands Abe? I'll buy a couple packs of hot dogs and cook lunch[emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

Hot dogs, a free ferry, and an open invite to Maine? I'll bring the bug spray! Let's go invade Abe's turf boys! Besides George. George can't travel more than 150 miles from South Philly. Lol