OLD Ring Dug Churchyard - Question Please

[Michigan Badger]

Here's the better finds for my 3 hour hunt today.

Today:

1. Lots of clad
2. 2 gun shells
3. Lots of bullets
4. Old mechanical pencil
5. 1 Wheat 1953
6. Ring - Brass I think?
7. Dog vaccination tag 1979

I've seen these old brass wedding bands dug at Civil War sites but this is the first I've dug in Michigan.

Question: Does anybody know anything about the history of these rings? I mean, where they "hardtimes" rings or years ago was it common to have brass wedding bands?

Thanks, Badger

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[trk5capt]

BADGER, Your Right, I Have Found The Same Kind Of Bands In Confederate Camps And Around Slave Qtrs. I really Don't Know If They Were A Substitute For Gold, Or Were Worn For Some Other Reason. trk5capt...

 

[Michigan Badger]

Yes, I almost believe they were actually a fad at one time. I know the ancient Romans were very big on bronze rings.

I was wondering too if many people just couldn't afford gold or even silver.

Badger

 

[ringfinder]

Great finds up there in Mich. I can tell you they aren't Sears and Robuck rings.
I have found some of them and most of them are still gold. One of them I returned
to an older gentelman who lost it when he was 8 yrs. old, when I retruned it to him
he was 78 yrs old. It was his mothers wedding ring and he said his father had one
similar to it and they came out of the Sears Cataloge. What a great find and a Great
Return.
I have found many of the rings like you have there. I think maybe they had some gold
on them but it wore off.
HH, Ringfinder

 

[nhbenz]

Are you certain it's not some sort of (worn out) compression fitting? I would be the first to hope it's something more, but it does appear to have had a ridge that might suggest that. What's the exact inner diameter? Just trying to help. Nice finds in all! -Ben

 

[Moonshadow]

My great Aunt gave me her old wedding band before she died (she had a different one on her finger) and on the inside it says Rolled Gold. It looks brass on the outside because the gold has worn off. The ring is from 1915. That's the only explanation I can come up with.

Happy Hunting,
Moon

 

[EDDE]

trk is that a klans men?

 

[EDDE]

moon and nh on the right track....

 

[Michigan Badger]

Are you certain it's not some sort of (worn out) compression fitting?

Hi Ben,

It's a ring there's no doubt about that. I think it will have some markings inside but I need to clean it first.

I found it near a 150-year-old oak tree. The natives tell me there were 3 trees here at one time. They had a tornado go through back in the 70's that took out the other two trees.

Someone was probably just lounging here and lost it. I also found many wheat cents here and that 1865 Indian head was found nearby.

It's funny too, the ring I use here for my photo (Grim Reaper) was found not 10 feet from where I dug this ring. This ring was just much deeper.

Thanks,

Badger

 

[trk5capt]

trk is that a klans men?

No, 1800's FireMan, Come To Think Of It I Guess He Could Have Been In The Klan, One Thing For Sure He Is In The Ground Now trk5capt...

 

[ZumbroKid]

The wedding rings from Civil war sites were brass to prevent gold from falling into the hands of the south. This was ordered by the Union.
The ring you have in a real one Badger, I've dug several in Wisconsin also.
History of the brass wedding rings, took a turn due to the Catholic church at one time made a statement that they should be made of gold for weddings. I believe to be symbolic of purity.

 

[Michigan Badger]

The wedding rings from Civil war sites were brass to prevent gold from falling into the hands of the south. This was ordered by the Union.
The ring you have in a real one Badger, I've dug several in Wisconsin also.
History of the brass wedding rings, took a turn due to the Catholic church at one time made a statement that they should be made of gold for weddings. I believe to be symbolic of purity.

Now this makes sense. Thanks for the info Pete!

It's strange I've never dug one like this before. I found one very simular once that was gold and was simply stamped SOLID GOLD on the inside.

Most just have the old 14k on them.

Thanks again Pete...and also...on what page of this forum is your gold coin post? I was looking for it and couldn't find it?

 

[northeast hunter]

Great digs congrats..keep at it H H

 

[twister]

Looks like a nice day of diggin for you. Congrats

HH Twister

 

[Burdie]

I agree this was a great post. Thanks and HH Burdie

 

[southbound]

Congrats on the cool ring Badger. I found a similar ring here with two initials engraved in it.
Vern

 

[Michigan Badger]

Congrats on the cool ring Badger. I found a similar ring here with two initials engraved in it.
Vern

Man, now you have me wondering...are there initials on my ring? It has too much corrosion on it to tell now.

Next week I plan to look at it under strong magnification.

Thanks

 

[Southcacalaky]

Interesting finds, HH Art...

 

[old gold]

looks like a piece pf cut copper tubing to me!i could be wrong.just watchout for those tricky hand grenade pins sticking right side up while hunting!