ranch

[gearjammer]

went to a friends ranch today for an hour. The owner said was old foundation there when he was a kid around 15 years old , he is 70 now, going to rip this field in a week or so. Went to fish around a bit ground so hard can't dig but an inch or two. Dug an axe head right out the gate, old. Going with a digging bar tomorrow but I think when they rip it be better. He cut down old walnut tree yesterday had chain and hooks grown into tree. What do you all think?

 

[Metal Magnet]

sounds good to me. can you get historic maps of the place? any old aerials? either way, it's old if only the foundation was there when that guy was a kid. good luck!

 

[stefen]

Chain hooks might be for a swing or dog restraint, depending on location.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Pictures speak a thousand words my friend!
Lots of members here can help with your questions, we just need to see what you're seeing.

Dave

 

[Metal Magnet]

btw, i wasnt suggesting you post aerials or maps - please dont do that for your sake. and i agree with antiquarian, simple pics of the hook/chain or foundation would help ppl date it here.

 

[Loco-Digger]

Any place can be the location you find an outstanding coin or piece of history. You just don't know what may have taken place at that site centuries ago. Research can help your odds, but the key is swinging your coil over the item and having the experience to choose to dig or not.

 

[Subterranean]

You are on an old site, Do you have a good digger, i.e. Lesche tool, to go with your Garrett? They work well in hard ground because you can "two hand" them. Check around all the big, old trees within eyesight of the foundation, near possible outhouse sites, well sites, and outbuilding sites. Good luck. Sub

 

[gearjammer]

I have a good digging tool but this ground has had cattle on it forever, Rolling hills just winter grazing. The D11 should turn up some stuff, probably loose some too. I know good stuff there just got to get to it.

 

[gearjammer]

 

[gearjammer]

 

[gearjammer]

This is token I found a while back , couldn't figure out how to put up pics then.

 

[Rawhide]

These old ruins are a challenge to hunt. Tin roofs that have disintegrated, and old nails will keep you busy. I like to look for caches under window sills or around old trees. Hunt around the old trash pits if you can find them alos. Good luck.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

View attachment 1176623View attachment 1176624View attachment 1176626View attachment 1176627

This is definitely blacksmith-made iron c.1900. Could've been used for any number of functions from securing a gate, to tying an animal to.
I love finding old iron, especially blacksmith-made iron. I then tumble it to remove the rust, hence preserving it from deteriorating further.

Here are a couple of pieces I found this year, these are the before and after pics.
Dave