Must See! Never know what youre going to find....

cheffer · Apr 8, 2009

Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I haven't really found anything lately worth showing. But this one takes the cake. I was hunting an old wooded area near a local lake and had found a couple coins, one IH and a Merc, but it was cold and getting dark so I was headed back. Just shy of a pretty large boulder I got a big signal, which I figured was probably junk, but decided to dig anyway. As I got about 3 inches of topsoil pushed away I saw the edge of a plastic trash bag, just my luck. So I gave it a yank since I had uncovered, I figured I'd might as well pull it out in and bring it back to the parking area where there is a trash can.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the pearl handle of a revolver sticking out one side. Imagine my utter shock when out plopped 5 handguns. I was kind of freaked out as you can imagine. Not really sure what to do, I wrapped them back in the bag and immediately headed to the State Police barracks, which was less than a mile away from where I was.

Anyway, I spent the next hour and a half filling out a statement and showing the troopers where the spot was. Obviously they were very interested, not only in my find but in metal detecting in general. They had lots of questions and we actually had a pretty good time shooting the breeze while some of the other officers were taking pictures and trying to identify serial numbers and what not. Then they let me take some pictures and inspect thema little closer. Also I showed them the IH and Merc and they were almost as excited about the coins as they were about the arsenal I had unearthed. All in all an interesting evening!

So it looks like there are three pearl handle 22 caliber, one 38, and a Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum. Hard to tell the age, but the troopers thought they probably weren't more than 20-30 years old. They didn't want to speculate on why they were all buried, but you have to figure something fishy is going on. I told them I would love to follow the investigation and find out what happens, so I'll update this post if I get any new info for you all.

Like I said, you never know what your going to find!

Happy hunting...be careful out there,
Steve

ivan salis · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

might be money near by or other hot goodies (jewelry ect)--one has to wonder why the guns were left there and never reclaimed *(did the robber owner OD / get into a fight over money get shot ? -- its very very odd that 5 "nice" guns wound up like that) --5 nice guns in good working order (like when they were put there) are worth a nice bit of bread on the streets -- say at least $250 to $500 bucks on the street --( at say $50 to $100 each) as "hot throwaway" robbery or "hit" guns . -- I'd be looking over that area very closely for a cash or jewelry stash * near by. (where crooks feel good to hide one thing they often hide more* human nature at work----- it looks to me as if those guns have been there for a fair bit of time due to their condition.

I'd start checking up on local unsolved armed robberys --since it seems to have been a gun stash for doing "jobs"--most likely

Yarrum · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Wow, really interesting find. Must have been a heart stopper.
Keep us posted.

Muddy Treats · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Wow! those guns are awesome! i don't think it's right for the cops to take your finds. whatever happen to finder's keepers? i hope you get them back!

Goldiver · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Wow, you are right , you never know what you might dig next! That is pretty cool, keep us updated on what your new cop friends find out too please.

VERY cool!! 8)

Steve

1266x · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

There was an article on this in today's local paper,the Berkshire Eagle.

cheffer · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Woke up this morning to find the story in our local paper. I was kind of surprised, since yesterday I didn't hear from anyone. I would have thought they'd want to see the location. So, of course, yesterday I took another walk up to the area to look around. I stayed away from the actual site though, figuring I could get back there anytime should the police decide the location had no forensic value. To all of you who have suggested there might be more stashed stuff up there, that was my thought too...I'll definitely get back when things cool off.

I'll post yesterday's finds once I get some photos...

Here's an excerpt from today's paper:

A hobbyist searching for valuables with a metal detector was surprised to find five handguns — possibly some 30 years ago — buried in a rural section of town.

Police said the handguns were deliberately buried in a plastic bag possibly 20 to 30 years ago, based that assumption on several factors such as the area where the weapons were found was overgrown, the ground hadn't been disturbed, and the plastic bag and handguns are badly decayed — with the barrel of one of them rusted off.

Police are uncertain if the guns were stolen or used in a crime.

Three of the weapons are identical High Standard .22-caliber "Double Nine" revolvers with imitation ivory grips. The other two are Smith & Wesson revolvers: one .45-caliber and one .32-caliber.

"None were high-value guns," he added, "but finding three of one kind is unusual."

As for where the weapons came from and why they were buried will be difficult to determine.

"They're beyond the ability of being tested. Maybe the serial numbers can be lifted."

sniffer · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

picture this......... an angry housewife who just found out that her husband had bought another handgun, waits until he asleep and decides to dispose of them.
3 of the same make and model could also be a gun store breakin.

Bridge End Farm · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

cheffer said:
Woke up this morning to find the story in our local paper. I was kind of surprised, since yesterday I didn't hear from anyone. I would have thought they'd want to see the location. So, of course, yesterday I took another walk up to the area to look around. I stayed away from the actual site though, figuring I could get back there anytime should the police decide the location had no forensic value. To all of you who have suggested there might be more stashed stuff up there, that was my thought too...I'll definitely get back when things cool off.

I'll post yesterday's finds once I get some photos...

Here's an excerpt from today's paper:

A hobbyist searching for valuables with a metal detector was surprised to find five handguns — possibly some 30 years ago — buried in a rural section of town.

Police said the handguns were deliberately buried in a plastic bag possibly 20 to 30 years ago, based that assumption on several factors such as the area where the weapons were found was overgrown, the ground hadn't been disturbed, and the plastic bag and handguns are badly decayed — with the barrel of one of them rusted off.

Police are uncertain if the guns were stolen or used in a crime.

Three of the weapons are identical High Standard .22-caliber "Double Nine" revolvers with imitation ivory grips. The other two are Smith & Wesson revolvers: one .45-caliber and one .32-caliber.

"None were high-value guns," he added, "but finding three of one kind is unusual."

As for where the weapons came from and why they were buried will be difficult to determine.

"They're beyond the ability of being tested. Maybe the serial numbers can be lifted."

cool your a local celebrity now awesome :wink:

NY Digger & Little Digger · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Wow, that is the best find I have ever seen. :thumbsup:

berkshire mike · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_12113910

Here's the news link to my brother's find.

Nice going steve. Would be great if they can trace it back

Hardrock · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Hi: The one 357 appears to be a"K" frame Smith and Wesson late 70's the other is an early model Smith,does the grip which appears to be wood on the .22 have a "diamond" on the grip that ususally means an early model,the others cant tell and without inspection close I can not tell, I am a firearms dealer on the side and grew up in a gun shop with my Dad owning it,took up dealership 22 years ago.Nice find and I would go back to see if there would be more there or a cache of a different type nearby. Exanimo my friend nice finds and unusual. Good job on reporting it also. :thumbsup:

Hardrock

dirthunter · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Excellent job! You found the Lone Ranger's hiding place.

Finman · Apr 10, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Looks as if Bonnie & Cylde had to stash their weapons!! Awesome find, and I think you did the right thing, hope you get them back!!!
HH Joe

cheffer · Apr 12, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Incredible...apparently now some of the major stations have picked up the story. My sister saw it on one of the Albany stations, the reporter had a cameraman and were allowed to take a video. I hadn't seen it so I tried Googling the story and I was blown away at how many articles came up. From as far away as Pennsylvania.

My fifteen minutes I guess, although I'm still an anonymous "hobbyist".

HH,
Steve

THingfool · Apr 12, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Very interesting find. And the shadowbox idea would make a great display if they are returned to you. :thumbsup:

FunWithTreasure · Apr 13, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

The article was in the New York Post today as well. I read it there .

John (Ma) · Apr 13, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

I just saw this in my local Massachusetts newspaper. I am glad I get to see the pictures, which is a very nice find. Good luck on your future hunts in the area.

acehunter · Apr 13, 2009

Re: Must See! Never know what you're going to find....

Great story and finds. It would be great if you get the guns. And get the true story behind them. That conversation will never get old. Like you said, you just never know what you might find. That's why we love mding.