My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - **NEW PICTURES - Cleaned Lock Plate**

[ModernMiner]

Folks,
I took off a bit early from work today to get in an afternoon hunt since they are calling for snow this weekend.
I re-hit the same area of the woods where I dug the flower button, Enfield bullet, musket balls, and melted lead last Saturday.
After about two hours I only had some rusty tool pieces and a Williams cleaner to show for my efforts. Just before it was time to call it quits, I got a solid signal right next to a small tree. As expected, there were numerous tree roots to battle before I could get at the piece. What I then pulled out of the hole I could not believe!!! It was part of an old rifle.
Here's a quick video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPj8AtDjunk

What kind I have no clue. This is the first CW lock plate I've ever found, and I'm hoping that one of you CW buffs can ID it.
This piece will be a very nice addition to my CW relic display.
You can bet your bippy (showing my age) I'll be pounding those woods again.

Any idea on the age of the axe or hatch head

Thanks for looking,
MM

 

[silverfreak]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Now that's COOL

 

[wyattrr]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Wow MM!! Nice Score... Congrats

 

[Nana40]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

So we're waiting on that 'cleaned up' pic, MM! Those are some super finds! And of course we always enjoy the videos!

Nana

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

So we're waiting on that 'cleaned up' pic, MM! Those are some super finds! And of course we always enjoy the videos!

Nana

O.K., you waited long enough.
I tried my best but this was a stubborn piece to clean up. Also, there is pitting where the date should be.
I can clearly see part of the eagle , "US", and the "SP" from the word "Springfield".
I was hoping like heck to get a date off of it, but it was not to be.
Oh well, I'll just have to dig another one with a date.
I also posted a picture of what one of these lock plates should look like and where the engraving should be.

Have a great weekend. It's snowing here in NC.
-MM-

 

[kimsdad]

Great hunt!!!

That plate would look cool displayed on a repro stock.

 

[dcinffxva]

It is a Model 1842 lockplate. Here are the subsequent ones so people can see the differences.

US Model 1855-Has the door for the Maynard tape priming

CS Richmond-Used the machinery from Harpers Ferry, so very similar to the 1855, but no Maynard cutout.

US Model 1861-same style hammer, no "hump" on the lockplate

US Model 1863-Hammer redesigned

 

[ModernMiner]

It is a Model 1842 lockplate. Here are the subsequent ones so people can see the differences.

Very cool. Thanks for that ID and info DCinffxva. Now I can label it properly for my display.
HH,
MM

 

[Detectingfreak]

awesome gun part!

 

[dcinffxva]

Glad to help, and great finds !

 

[Nana40]

Amazing how a little hot bath can clean those things up! Looks great, MM!!