FoundInNC
Sr. Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2012
- Messages
- 458
- Reaction score
- 637
- Golden Thread
- 2
- Location
- Mebane, North Carolina
- 🥇 Banner finds
- 2
- 🏆 Honorable Mentions:
- 4
- Detector(s) used
- Garrett AT Gold and AT Pro
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
What an interesting day of relic hunting. Today I went to my newest colonial site, and the crops had FINALLY been cut off. I immediately started seeing dig holes, and large chunks of iron, on the surface of the ground. Someone had nighthawked my site. I am the only person that has permission on this site. I was FURIOUS, and still am pretty bummed about it, but it worked out in my favor today.
I was detecting pretty hard, and digging every decent tone. I walked in some thick brush, beside where the combine cut, and got a SWEET signal on my AT Gold. I looked down and low and behold there on the surface of the ground was a Bingham School Buckle. It must have been dug by whoever nighthawked the site, and discarded because they didn't recognize it as being a nice relic. It turns out, this particular buckle is a brass dome buckle, used at the Bingham School Military Academy in the 1850s-1860s. I can date it to the earlier days of the school due to the absence of the three drilled holes found on the ones that were issued later in the school's life. I am very glad that I found it, even though I technically didn't dig it! Finding that buckle made me not as mad about having an intruder
. As I finished making my video, I noticed several other brass relics sitting on top of the ground near the buckle, so the individual apparently unloaded his/her pockets and lost the big money item. Shame on them. My favorite part of finding this buckle is that it is my first off-site Bingham School relic, that pertains directly to the school!
Other finds in the day's hunt included my BEST ever COLONIAL BARREL TAP! This spigot was only 2 inches deep and laying lateral to the ground under the peat. When I saw it, I nearly died! It is beautiful. This type apparently takes the key, but it is missing. What a cool colonial relic! The site dates to the 1740s so I am definitely not surprised to see it; the condition surprises me. I found two harmonica reeds, some random brass rings, a very old pair of fingernail clippers, and an interesting hand forged Iron tool??
I went overboard with pictures, but I wanted yall to see it all!
Colonial hammer head,,I threw a handle in it for display purposes only
As found, Bingham School Cadet Belt Plate, circa 1850-1860s
Notice the harmonica reed fragment, at the top left. I did not notice it until I looked at this picture. The "Hawk" scattered his finds all over the sides of the field. This was one of his pocket dump sites.
Big ol' Bean field, nice and flat for digging!
uncleaned spigot
Spigot, as dug
Uncleaned spigot top
delicately cleaned spigot with patina
Cleaned colonial spigot top with key valve
Cleaned spigot bottom
Uncleaned Bingham School Military Academy Cadet Plate 1844-1865
Reverse of Same
Delicately cleaned Confederate Cadet Plate
Unfortunately no puppy paws still attached on this one
N.C.R.R. 15 bag seal
Tell me this doesn't say C S A
harmonica reeds
Brass items
very old nail clippers
Thick brass, possibly wheel hub? Often find them at old sites
Please help with this interesting hand made Iron tool. I found one almost exactly like it a month ago.
Here are 8 of the same Bingham School belt plates that I have dug over at the site of the school, proof of what I found
I was detecting pretty hard, and digging every decent tone. I walked in some thick brush, beside where the combine cut, and got a SWEET signal on my AT Gold. I looked down and low and behold there on the surface of the ground was a Bingham School Buckle. It must have been dug by whoever nighthawked the site, and discarded because they didn't recognize it as being a nice relic. It turns out, this particular buckle is a brass dome buckle, used at the Bingham School Military Academy in the 1850s-1860s. I can date it to the earlier days of the school due to the absence of the three drilled holes found on the ones that were issued later in the school's life. I am very glad that I found it, even though I technically didn't dig it! Finding that buckle made me not as mad about having an intruder
. As I finished making my video, I noticed several other brass relics sitting on top of the ground near the buckle, so the individual apparently unloaded his/her pockets and lost the big money item. Shame on them. My favorite part of finding this buckle is that it is my first off-site Bingham School relic, that pertains directly to the school!Other finds in the day's hunt included my BEST ever COLONIAL BARREL TAP! This spigot was only 2 inches deep and laying lateral to the ground under the peat. When I saw it, I nearly died! It is beautiful. This type apparently takes the key, but it is missing. What a cool colonial relic! The site dates to the 1740s so I am definitely not surprised to see it; the condition surprises me. I found two harmonica reeds, some random brass rings, a very old pair of fingernail clippers, and an interesting hand forged Iron tool??
I went overboard with pictures, but I wanted yall to see it all!
Colonial hammer head,,I threw a handle in it for display purposes only
As found, Bingham School Cadet Belt Plate, circa 1850-1860s
Notice the harmonica reed fragment, at the top left. I did not notice it until I looked at this picture. The "Hawk" scattered his finds all over the sides of the field. This was one of his pocket dump sites.
Big ol' Bean field, nice and flat for digging!
uncleaned spigot
Spigot, as dug
Uncleaned spigot top
delicately cleaned spigot with patina
Cleaned colonial spigot top with key valve
Cleaned spigot bottom
Uncleaned Bingham School Military Academy Cadet Plate 1844-1865
Reverse of Same
Delicately cleaned Confederate Cadet Plate
Unfortunately no puppy paws still attached on this one
N.C.R.R. 15 bag seal
Tell me this doesn't say C S A
harmonica reeds
Brass items
very old nail clippers
Thick brass, possibly wheel hub? Often find them at old sites
Please help with this interesting hand made Iron tool. I found one almost exactly like it a month ago.
Here are 8 of the same Bingham School belt plates that I have dug over at the site of the school, proof of what I found
Last edited:
Upvote
2
