Patriot Relics
Silver Member
Hey guys,
We had an ultra low tide this weekend so I set off on the yak to scout some coastal sites in the low country. While it was nice to get out on the water, the 107 degree "feels like" heat had me struggling. Recent erosion acts much like a plow in replenishing these particular sites so the scattered pottery and brick were a welcomed site. The first site was occupied by both union and confederate forces and while the targets were few and far between, I did manage to rescue a pair of Scovill Mfg (1850-1865) general service buttons from an inevitable death by salt water.
The site also produced a few percussion caps as well as buck & ball. Interestingly enough I found this domed 1 piece button nearby. The surface was flaking badly, but I could see that the top had been hand etched-almost looks like an ironclad ship...I'll let you guys decide.
After a few productive hours I switched sites to a tried and true colonial trash pit. This particular site never seems to disappoint. First out was a ruff oval cufflink
Among the other digs was a handful of flat buttons, drawer pull, and a mystery copper...thing? Kind of resembles a dandy button but with a conical shank
My favorite dig of the day is also a rare one for the sites I hunt- a late 18th century dandy button. I have found dozens of the small copper/tombac/pewter buttons, but these larger variants just don't pop out of the surf. A bit of cleaning revealed the gilded basketweave design in the center. Not a George Washington button, but still looks great in the display
As I was dragging the yak back to shore I did eyeball a nice fossilized shark tooth...not quite the megaladon's I'll recovered in the past
Here's a shot of the teeth that I've recovered in the last 2 years from the same stretch of shoreline
All in all a nice day out digging in the mud and happy to start another streak of military buttons. Good luck out there!
We had an ultra low tide this weekend so I set off on the yak to scout some coastal sites in the low country. While it was nice to get out on the water, the 107 degree "feels like" heat had me struggling. Recent erosion acts much like a plow in replenishing these particular sites so the scattered pottery and brick were a welcomed site. The first site was occupied by both union and confederate forces and while the targets were few and far between, I did manage to rescue a pair of Scovill Mfg (1850-1865) general service buttons from an inevitable death by salt water.
The site also produced a few percussion caps as well as buck & ball. Interestingly enough I found this domed 1 piece button nearby. The surface was flaking badly, but I could see that the top had been hand etched-almost looks like an ironclad ship...I'll let you guys decide.
After a few productive hours I switched sites to a tried and true colonial trash pit. This particular site never seems to disappoint. First out was a ruff oval cufflink
Among the other digs was a handful of flat buttons, drawer pull, and a mystery copper...thing? Kind of resembles a dandy button but with a conical shank
My favorite dig of the day is also a rare one for the sites I hunt- a late 18th century dandy button. I have found dozens of the small copper/tombac/pewter buttons, but these larger variants just don't pop out of the surf. A bit of cleaning revealed the gilded basketweave design in the center. Not a George Washington button, but still looks great in the display
As I was dragging the yak back to shore I did eyeball a nice fossilized shark tooth...not quite the megaladon's I'll recovered in the past
Here's a shot of the teeth that I've recovered in the last 2 years from the same stretch of shoreline
All in all a nice day out digging in the mud and happy to start another streak of military buttons. Good luck out there!
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