Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa) / Update on tag ID!

Montana Jim

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Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa) / Update on tag ID!

It's been a long time since we've posted but we want to share a few finds from a cellarhole hunt Lisa and I enjoyed last month... with special thanks to Lisa's brother-in-law, Steve, who put us in touch with his cousin, Will, who got us to the cellarhole to hunt.

It was a great day in the woods with perfect weather and no bugs. Will gave us each an ATV ride up the hill to the site and, we walked out a few hours later - with some cool finds.

Sorry - no pictures from the site... but rest assured it was a typical cellarhole in beautiful PA. The finds were typical, a little trash, lots of iron, and the few interesting keepers pictured below.

These are found at most sites - salt & paper shaker tops, spoons, a few curtain hanger loops, some clock gears, a tag, a harness buckle, a piece of leather boot with lace hooks, and some miscellaneous brass stuff.

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We also found these two buckles... both with a basic scroll design - very cool.

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We also found this pottery/plate piece - circa 1890ish.

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This rein guide was cool too... common, but neat to find.

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We dug this lock, probebly from a chest or box, made by the Eagle Lock Company. It's sporting an eagle with shield.

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This last piece was my favorite... and a first for me to dig! It's a mid 1800s brass black powder pistol flask. My research has been inconclusive on it's origins, but there are some nice examples of this very flask online. It's a patriotic piece, possibly military, with the words "E-Pluribus Unum" scrolled across the bottom of each side. It's one of my favorite finds ever! Worthless - but it'll display really cool.

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As always... thanks for looking!
 

Upvote 0
Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Very c :icon_thumright:ool powder flask :icon_thumleft:
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Great hunt , powder flask is on my wish list ! Congrats ,CMD :icon_pirat:
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Thanks everyone... :)

Nice to be back and posting!
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

The powder flask is not worthless, it's history man! Just take a moment and reflect on who may have used it and if for hunting or defense or perhaps even war. Imagine what the times were like back then and picture the person or persons who may have last touched it, and if it was passed down a generation. Now put it on display fondly and proudly as it is an exceptional find. Monty
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Monty well said :notworthy:
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Like the curtain rings, buckle with scrollwork, and the spoon. Not sure they are all that old. I've seen similar powder flasks still in use with blackpowder shooters.
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Tuberale said:
Like the curtain rings, buckle with scrollwork, and the spoon. Not sure they are all that old. I've seen similar powder flasks still in use with blackpowder shooters.

But the difference is that you don't find modern powder flasks at 1800s cellar holes. This is a period piece. It has obviously been in the ground a long while. One of the panels was even starting to weaken and come apart from ground action.

Yes, there are similar powder flasks in use today--but these are not tossed out in cellar holes from the 1800s. (I know that a hunter could lose a powder flask--but that is not likely--and the odds against one being lost at a spot that happened to be the site of a long-gone house...well...it's astronomical.

I have never heard of a modern powder flask being dug and posted on any forum.


Best Wishes,


Buckles
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

No doubt it is old. Go bury a new one and it will take a hundred years for it to deteriorate to that condition. Monty
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

very cool relics.all those huge targets i doubt that site was hit before.i'd definitely get back there.gotta be some coins and buttons.very nice day out congrats! :thumbsup:
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

I love that flask!!!I beleive that was called the Peace/Freindship flask?My buddy has the printout of the patent on that Heart suspender buckle(with a pair he has found),it was Pat. in the 1850's.Very cool!!!I have only found one myself
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

[very nice thanks for sharing the photos, I love to see what others are finding. I find tons of old metal on my property, there was a house here about85 yrs ago, No coins yet but I am still hoping to find at least one.
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Great finds. Sounds like both of you had a great day.. I would definitely display the flask. The history behind it would be awesome, if possible to find out.
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

Upon looking at your flask again,its not the Peace flask,not sure which one it is,but its a keeper!!
We have dug that lock plate with bits of material still attached from a carpet bag
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

kuger said:
We have dug that lock plate with bits of material still attached from a carpet bag

Yes... that would work too... thanks!
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa)

UPDATE!

This is kinda cool... Lisa decided to clean this plain tag I found and she discovered another piece of history.

It's a coat/check tag from the Revere House in Warren, PA. (c. TOC)

Thanks Lisa!

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Here is a picture of the Hotel (Revere House) which is no longer standing, having been replaced by a parking lot.

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Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa) / Update on tag ID!

Hey, everybody. Thanks for looking at "our" post. It was great getting back to PA to do some cellarhole hunting. Unfortunately, the vegetation was pretty high, and we didn't have time to hunt it more than once. I have no doubt that the old coins and buttons are there waiting for us. I can't wait to return there.

I haven't been on Tnet much. Jim's been keeping me busy in the kitchen. LOL....just kidding. He cooks for me. :tongue3:
 

Re: Pennsylvania Cellarhole (Montana Jim & Mona Lisa) / Update on tag ID!

Nice going on the powder flask, don't see many posted in any condition. Great ID on the check tag, that alone makes for a good hunt. :icon_thumright:
 

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