Silver VMI ring and a few other interesting finds

[Batholith]

The old Valley Turnpike crosses our family farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It has been a working farm since at least the early 18th century and there were at least 2 civil war actions fought on or near the property. In between fixing the barn roof and hosting the whole family over Christmas I was able to get three good days of metal detecting in.

I've had my AT Pro for a couple months and hunting the farm with it was frustrating with the stock coil because there is iron trash all over the property. This was my first hunt with the 5x8 coil and it paid off.

First pic shows an assortment of finds including minie balls and casings, a block "A" confederate artillery button. All of these were dug except for the straight razor and fireman's medal- found those in a coffee can in the barn.



A nice merc:



An old Ford hubcap:



A wild iron axe (this thing was DEEP and I have no idea what to make of it. War axe for indian trade?):



And finally, this amazing ring:




It is sterling with no date or inscription. From a bit of research online I think it is pre-1940 and possibly a bit older.

I'd love to hear thoughts on any of these items if you know more about them. Thanks for looking!

 

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[Batholith]

I believe that 1839 is part of the seal as opposed to a class year.



Would be nice if it were that old

 

[Dirty Genu]

I just looked it up and VMI was established in Nov 1839.

 

[david680]

Pre-1940 may be right, but it looks like these were made for quite a while with little change. Tried a search on VMI class ring, and that didn't turn up much, but searching VMI silver ring got me this link, which explains why class ring doesn't work. Post #6. Service Academy and Military College miscellaneous stuff - MISC / UNKNOWN - U.S. Militaria Forum

 

[Batholith]

Nice David- thanks for the link. Part of my estimate for the date comes from the fact that the ring was 9" down. In that general vicinity I've dug a number of coins from the 20s and 30s at that depth.

More praise for the 5x8 coil on the AT Pro, I had been over that spot a dozen times with the stock coil and missed the ring because it was under 2 plow points and next to a horseshoe.

 

[dirtlooter]

awesome ring, you may have to go back over other spots with the smaller coil

 

[beez0404]

I'm extremely jealous of the property you're hunting. Never had an opportunity to metal detect a spot with potential CW relics. The 3 ringers you found would have me dancing! The button probably would elicit some type of cartwheel or "Diggers" moment. Found this statement online about the ring you found.

"It's not a class ring, but rather a souvenir item that can be bought in the PX. At VMI it's known as a "Rat ring" because Rats (4th classmen) are allowed to buy and wear them. It's about the size of a high school ring."

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nice finds! Congrats!

 

[Batholith]

Thanks for the kind words.

Beez, yes I am very aware of how lucky I am to have this property to hunt. My family has been there for the better part of a century and I have found a number of things that belonged to my grandparents and great grandparents there.

Unfortunately I wasn't aware of what I had when I was younger- I've only started artifact hunting in the past 5 years.

Many times we have encountered people on the property detecting (and hunting and camping) without permission. I remember finding holes dug and unfilled with my grandfather... I try not to think about what was probably taken from the property. Gives me unique perspective when I ask permission to search anywhere else.

I have yet to prosecute any trespassers but this past year I took 6 truckloads of illegally dumped trash to the landfill and buried at least 4 animal carcasses left by hunters on the property. I've finally posted the land which resisted doing for decades (because it feels obnoxious and looks tacky).

I was out detecting with my 7 y.o. nephew and nearly walked into 2 hunters' rotting gutpiles... that made me so mad I actually spent the money to put hidden cams all over the property and I will spend whatever it takes to fully prosecute trespassers from now on.

Wow, sorry didn't mean to get off on a rant. As an avid detectorist and owner of artifact-rich property, I can tell you that the question of permissions is a complicated one...and as with most things, a few selfish dirtbags are quite capable of screwing up the hobby for all of us.

 

[Dirty Genu]

The ring is an extremely cool find even if it is a rat ring.

I was at the Jackson Hall museum in October and I was surprised at how many of the VMI class rings they didn't have.

 

[StormSurge]

Thanks for the kind words.

Beez, yes I am very aware of how lucky I am to have this property to hunt. My family has been there for the better part of a century and I have found a number of things that belonged to my grandparents and great grandparents there.

Unfortunately I wasn't aware of what I had when I was younger- I've only started artifact hunting in the past 5 years.

Many times we have encountered people on the property detecting (and hunting and camping) without permission. I remember finding holes dug and unfilled with my grandfather... I try not to think about what was probably taken from the property. Gives me unique perspective when I ask permission to search anywhere else.

I have yet to prosecute any trespassers but this past year I took 6 truckloads of illegally dumped trash to the landfill and buried at least 4 animal carcasses left by hunters on the property. I've finally posted the land which resisted doing for decades (because it feels obnoxious and looks tacky).

I was out detecting with my 7 y.o. nephew and nearly walked into 2 hunters' rotting gutpiles... that made me so mad I actually spent the money to put hidden cams all over the property and I will spend whatever it takes to fully prosecute trespassers from now on.

Wow, sorry didn't mean to get off on a rant. As an avid detectorist and owner of artifact-rich property, I can tell you that the question of permissions is a complicated one...and as with most things, a few selfish dirtbags are quite capable of screwing up the hobby for all of us.

Makes you wonder what some people are thinking.
Anyway, it looks like you have a lot of good hunting in your future. Can't imagine what it would be like to have all that for my back yard.

 

[wv hilljack]

Wonderful finds! Thanks for sharing. Can's wait for the next posting.

 

[texjim]

That ring is sweet. nice digs

 

[Valley Ranger]

Great finds, for sure! Those of us living in the Valley are definitely blessed. Having the Valley Pike pass through your property is a unique opportunity. I have 2 AT Pro's. I keep the stock coil on one, the smaller 5x8 coil on the other. And you're right, that small coil is AMAZING. I've pulled finds at 8" with that little coil. It doesn't miss much. The thought of metal detecting on property without permission is so foreign to me. I just can't imagine.

By the way, here's a link at the VMI archives about the history of their rings:

Rings and Ring Figure: A History of A VMI Tradition

 

[park pirate]

Nice hunt...

 

[slider66]

Really nice finds. You are lucky to be in that area. There is so much there to find. Thanks for sharing!

 

[OBN]

Cool old piece of VMI treasure!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratulations on the excellent Relic finds!

 

[outdoorfunblonde]

Nice finds!! Great assortment...
Wish I had the patience to dig up everything I beep on!
Congrats on a good place to hunt, and thanks for sharing!

 

[Batholith]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. There is actually so much iron detritus in the ground at this site that I will often grid off an area and do my best to clear the nails and plowpoints and such before hunting more aggressively for the nicer targets. I clear a lot of trash just by running the propointer along the ground surface. Someday I'll get around to taking pics of the mountain of scrap I've accumulated

By the way, are there any classic car people out there with an idea about the age of that hubcap? Anyone seen anything like that axe before in VA?

Thanks again for the great responses.