Thanks
I dug a fish pond for a customer a while back on a property I knew was in a very good area...
Long story short... we both wound up with sifting screens and are good friends now.
I recently talked him into opening up a section of ground I had been eyeballing for some time now.
I am not positive,but I dont beleive that style/shape dates to the early 1800's Gator.........thats like the ones we dig in mid 19th Cent sites.It is a spectacular specimen for sure though!
I had some great study documents that went ito great detail the use and ways to date these but can not locate it....one of my best friends has written several articles on,and has likely the largest collection of face pipes known....I love diggin them!!
The link I provided has a full gallery of these in color.
The occupation of the site was Second Seminole war 1835 - 1842
The fort that these were associated with burnt down in 1843.
I wasn't planning on explaining everything.
Here are buttons from the same site you can date these also.. pewter General Service buttons.
I appreciate you adding your thoughts ... but forcing them into the thread as if they are Gospel is a bit rude.
I stated not positive(that usually means,one is not sure,is not stating something for fact) and that it resembled the ones we dig in mid 1800's sites......I edited for the link,by the way,have not,will not change anything.
also.......these are not always TRADE...if you want split hairs...we had zero Indian trade where we dig hundreds of these...they are also called Penny pipes,because they were kept in taverns and for a penny you could have a smoke,and when done would break off a bit of the stem(LIKE YOURS)repack it and it was ready for the next customer......
Yes..there were thousands of these made.
Not many survived though.
They are commonly referred to as trade pipes..and were often used as such.
That just seemed like the best term to use posting it here.