My first privy dig

treasurehunter313

Sr. Member
Apr 29, 2014
358
321
PA
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro
Primary Interest:
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I was debating on where to go detecting at after work since I depleted a lot of the easy spots around me. I decided instead to try out my privy probe I bought earlier this summer in my parents garden that they just cleared of all the plants. It is right on the property line towards the back of the house. I was probing and felt the "glass" pieces and it was easier to stick all the way into the ground so I decided to dig there. Well an hour and a half later and about 5ft down I found some intact bottles and a couple other interesting items before I had to cover the hole at dark. I found 3 intact bottles and one I think I broke which was a paul jones 1906 bottle. I think that was whiskey. The clear ones are pretty ordinary. I need help identifying the black pipe thing. Maybe part of a clay pipe? And the other item that I was believed used for sewing. I can read "USA" on it and before that there is a makers mark I believe. Which looks like a small "o" with a backwards "C" facing it. I don't know if I'll be able to dig tomorrow because of the weather but I'll update this thread if I find more. Thanks for any help.
 

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Cool stuff! I'm envious. It's been a dream of mine to dig a privy. But I like 'em when the building is still standing.:headbang: That "other item that I was believed used for sewing" is very interesting because I found something just like it the other day(very ironic) Though I thought it was a broken spoon! I was going to throw it away but decided to keep it and put with the scrap metal pile. I will pull it out and see if mine is the same as yours. HH everyone.
 

the black piece? I am thinking douche or enema tube. sorry to be the bearer ...... I have dug numerous outhouses and those tubes do turn up. just part of the fun. congrats of the other finds......keep digging , there is some great stuff yet to be found
 

the black piece? I am thinking douche or enema tube. sorry to be the bearer ...... I have dug numerous outhouses and those tubes do turn up. just part of the fun. congrats of the other finds......keep digging , there is some great stuff yet to be found
haha that is so gross but actually really funny. Thanks for the information.
 

Nice is the privy wood sided or brick? Make sure you scratch out the sides there's most likely more stuff hiding. I hope the older stuff pops up for you.

Sent from my iPod touch using TreasureNet
 

Nice is the privy wood sided or brick? Make sure you scratch out the sides there's most likely more stuff hiding. I hope the older stuff pops up for you. Sent from my iPod touch using TreasureNet
I'm not sure about the material used I haven't a lot of either. I think all the stuff I'm going to find will be late 1800s and early 1900s so nothing real old. It's still a real fun dig. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow to finish it. Thanks for looking
 

Nice digs and thanks for those pics
 

Cool stuff !!! A 5 ft. hole kind of makes my little 3 inch plugs look silly. I'm not sure I'd have to conviction to dig that deep....unless I was suspecting gold bars, then I think these old bones could dig a 5 ft. hole, it'd probably take me a week though...:laughing7:
 

Cool stuff !!! A 5 ft. hole kind of makes my little 3 inch plugs look silly. I'm not sure I'd have to conviction to dig that deep....unless I was suspecting gold bars, then I think these old bones could dig a 5 ft. hole, it'd probably take me a week though...:laughing7:
I'm taking advantage of being young haha I'm only 23 and I sit in an office most of the day for my internship so by time I get off I'm ready to dig. If it were gold bars I'd be digging still now for them lol. I'd be happy with an Indian head cent but as long as I get a few more intact bottles I'll be happy. I just started hitting the layer with the bottles before I had to quit for the night. Thanks for looking
 

I've been trying to find the sewing item online, with no success, so I'm chiming in so I can track this thread. It's not a bodkin, mellor, or glove/other button hook, though, if that helps. It's got a proper "crochet hook" type end, but would be impossible to use as such with the flat handle. I'm thinking it has something to do with turning a collar, or some such?
Cool finds so far, good luck!
 

I agree with luke on the black pipe thingy they pop up a lot. Congrats on your bottles ! hope there are some more waiting for you !
 

Thanks for the comments I'm leaving work early to dig since the weather broke... You can tell I have my priorities straight haha
 

Love the early ink bottle in your avatar. I found an 1843-51 outhouse pit in Florida and a round version of yours came from it. I split the bottles 50/50 with a detecting partner and he got it in the split. Three years later saw it in a bottle book, dated circa 1820 and valued then at $375.00. Did not get it because it was a dig whereas I needed to date the site. Instead of the ink I chose a clay beer/ginger bottle with 1848 molded into the side near the base. Congratulations.
 

Second days finds. I dug for 3 more hours. I kind of messed up and missed the middle of the hole so I'm kindling of poking around. I found a few intact bottles as well as the brown one had a glass topper on it. I also found this object that says R.E. Stone co. Furniture and wall paper McKeesport pa. It's pretty heavy and sense for it's size. I'm not sure of the material or use. It's very cool though. I'm not sure of the small plastic white object either. I found two of those. Thanks for looking.
 

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Nice finds! Keep on posting on this thread :thumbsup:
 

That RE Stone advertising piece is a Whetstone, or sharpening stone. I think it was popular in the 50s to put company advertising on these. Neat finds.
 

Cool stuff! I'm envious. It's been a dream of mine to dig a privy. But I like 'em when the building is still standing.:headbang: That "other item that I was believed used for sewing" is very interesting because I found something just like it the other day(very ironic) Though I thought it was a broken spoon! I was going to throw it away but decided to keep it and put with the scrap metal pile. I will pull it out and see if mine is the same as yours. HH everyone.
LMAO... with the building still standing? ... have you tried one of the platic ones with the blue water? ... sorry, i just couldnt resist
 

That RE Stone advertising piece is a Whetstone, or sharpening stone. I think it was popular in the 50s to put company advertising on these. Neat finds.
awesome thanks for the info. I thought that may be what it is but I wasn't sure. it's my favorite find so far.
 

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