My find of a Lifetime - Revolutionary War Cartridge Pouch Badge

ColonialDude

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Jul 5, 2004
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Canada
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Well I got back to a site where I found a couple of revolutionary war buttons a couple of weeks ago. Hit it hard again for 2 hours and turned up nothing...not one single find.

I was a little disappointed at first, but decided to explore the surrounding woods in hopes of turning up something else. About 200 metres away I got a hit. Turned out to be another button. Then another...and another. I was on cloud nine as I realized the area I hunted before was not the main camp obviously.

I will get some photos up of the buttons later...

My find of the day, and my lifetime was this Royal Highland Emigrants cartridge pouch badge!! Not only is it in beautiful clean condition, it has some sweet detail! One lug is missing from the rear, but had it been there I probably would not have made this find. The 71st regiment used this exact plate, only there was a number 71 engraved in the circle at the bottom. Note mine is blank. This is because the Royal Highland Emigrants had not officially received a regimental number yet.

I still can't get over this piece!! It gave a sweet signal in one direction, and a terrible signal the other way. I knew there was a good signal in there with iron. Sure enough, 6 inches down I pulled out a massive iron spike. When I put the probe back in the hole and heard it ring off, it crossed my mind it could be a belt plate as I knew it was large brass. It was smack in the middle of roots and large rocks so I dug it out by hand and I am grateful I did!!! When I pushed the dirt our from behind the roots, the dirt peeled off forward leaving the face of this bad boy sticking out of the dirt. I didn't touch it for 3 minutes!!! I just stared at it in shock and disbelief.
 

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Upvote 1
My god! My hand would quiver while holding that thing.....
 

Great find.......You don't see those to often! Like I'm always saying it's like bringing "History back to life!" Now why would you want to stop metal Detecting! Doesn't make sense....People want to see History like that!!!

Nice.....
 

Thanks very much everyone. I would have replied sooner but I can't seem to put this thing down.

You are correct, there are some out there for sure...but it's a rare enough find and worth a good chunk of change.
 

megadivers said:
Great find! In many publications these devices are described as hat badges as well. Congrats! :thumbsup:

You are correct, but those publications all base that info on one publication in particular. Bolton and Calver's "History Written with Pick and Shovel". They jumped to the conclusion of this being a bonnet badge, but the majority of rev war experts and collectors don't agree. I don't either. This piece is way too heavy for a bonnet badge.
 

Awsome find indeed,,,, never seen one of those!!!! thats what I love about this hobby ,,,,ya never know!!!

BANNER!!! FOR SURE!!!!

ARTHUR
 

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"I just stared at it in shock and disbelief. "
Those are the best! ;D
 

Superb find and a lovely piece of history. :icon_thumleft: :icon_thumleft: :icon_thumleft: Congrats on the banner!

Keep digging!
 

I forgot to mention...thanks for the banner votes everyone!
 

Holy smokes Wess, that one is going to be very hard to top! :icon_thumright: Congratulations and keep them comming!

Steve
 

Its absolutely beautiful! :icon_thumright: :headbang:
 

Wess, you now have the center piece for your collection!! Awesome find!!!!!!!!
 

Rob, if you are following this thread...shoot me your e-mail bud
 

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