Knight_of_Excalibur_II
Jr. Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2026
- Messages
- 91
- Reaction score
- 412
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- SE Florida
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Excalibur II
- Primary Interest:
- Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
Hi everyone,
I'm relatively new to treasure net, this my second finds post. The first post concerned my best modern find of 2025, for this one I will share my best (prospective) archaeological / artifact finds of 2025. Likewise, I've posted this in a separate forum / website, but was banned when someone violated the rules of the forum and basically, unprovoked, called me a moron, putting it lightly, for believing any of these items to be anything other than modern trash, and I politely called him out for his behavior. I was subsequently banned by a power-tripping moderator, with no prior warning or offenses. I found all of these items in a 30 yard or so patch, and found some interesting items just a few feet apart. I found all of these items on a public beach, north of Wabasso, just above the water line. All of my finds from my trip are included in one picture (except for one unidentifiable object), which I believe to be assortment of 18th century and 19th century artifacts, with some modern (20th century and 21st century) items as well. Some of these items are distinctively identifiable, while others are not. I have taken these items to be looked at in the Fisher museum as well as the McLarty museum, but both appraisals are on backlog, as they are driven by volunteer effort, so it may take a while to get feedback. Any help or feedback you can provide in identifying these objects would be much appreciated! I understand the beach is a mixed debris field, so proving provenance is extremely unlikely if not impossible without some distinctive match. For the record, I don't mind if someone believes all of this to be modern junk, as long as they are polite about it. Also, please explain any reasoning for your assessments, so that I can learn more, and be more informed on the next treasure coast hunt. To keep this post as objective as I possibly can, I've attached notes for my findings separated by categories of "Known", "Unknown", and "Speculation." I've considered getting a few of these items XRF tested, to sate my own curiosity, but am waiting on responses from the museums before I proceed. Whenever I find anything interesting, I like to learn the story behind it, for me it's part of the thrill. These finds have me particularly excited as I live in area where human activity is only extremely recent (past 50 years or so), with the exception of Native Americans, so if my speculations are correct, these would be the oldest objects I've found metal detecting thus far by a long shot. The beaches were fairly sanded-in when I hunted, and most of these were buried deep / registered as barely noticeable whisper tones when I first started digging them.
Attached below are photos of my finds and notes for each individual item. I have only (partially) cleaned one object so far (aside from removing lose encrustation), to reveal more detail, I'm currently holding off on cleaning the rest, as I want to avoid destroying context that the labs might be interested in.
Everything all together (dime I found on the same trip for scale):
Object 1:
Before Cleaning:
Front:
Back:
After Cleaning:
Front:
Back:
Known:
This is a brass bail, likely belonging to a chest, drawer, or dresser.
Unknown:
Exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Based on the uneven, granular pitting on the back, large glob of sand stuck prior to cleaning, and slight asymmetry, I believe that this bail may have been sand casted, though I'm not an expert on this. This bail seems to have a central shell motif, and it's relatively simple design leads me to believe that this bail is period (conservative estimate 1700 - 1830). My thoughts are that It may be from the 1715 fleet, but it could also be later Spanish colonial activity. I do not think it is newer than the industrial revolution at least, but it could possibly be a transitional piece, pre-Chippendale bail style as another person had recommended. I think it is too crude to be colonial revivalist, as it does not look machined to me. I also found this just a few feet away from a wrought iron handle-like object. The fanciful part of me thinks they could both have belonged to the same object, a treasure chest, but I know that's far reaching, and very difficult if not impossible to prove. The area where I detected is known for Spanish activity for many decades both before and after the 1715 fleet wrecked, and has also seen 1800's steam ships, etc. up to the modern day traffic. Any expert opinions, from friends across the pond especially, would be appreciated.
Object 2:
Known:
Wrought iron handle-like object. The tapered ends of uneven lengths and crudeness of the design heavily point to being hand forged by a blacksmith.
Unknown:
Exact age, provenance, purpose
Speculation:
Like I mentioned with the object above, this could be a hand forged wrought iron handle. Given the thickness, I am inclined to believe that this "handle" was meant for carrying heavy loads like a crate or a treasure chest. Another person mentioned also that this could potentially be a ship staple for a wooden sailing vessel. For a crude dating / approximate age, I place this strictly in the pre 1850's territory.
Object 3:
Known:
Eye hole split pin
Unknown:
Exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Originally, a person indicated to me that this looks like a modern cotter pin. I was inclined to agree, as they look very similar, and modern cotter pins were patented in the early 1900's. However, modern cotter pins are machined, and the loops at the top are formed by hole-punching. Consequently, one should see the evidence of it being hole punched at the top, with sharp edges. I do not see that. Rather, this looks like it could also be wrought iron (hand forged), formed by bending a metal bar around a mandrel. The corrosion pattern is also more consistent with wrought iron, than modern steel. While cotter pins have only existed for a little over a hundred years, they are a subset of eye hole split pins, which have been around for millennia. Conservative age estimate (1700 - 1830).
Object 4:
Known:
Wrought iron square iron spike / nail. I can very clearly feel the very distinctive, square shape profile of the spike / nail on the side that has the least amount of corrosion.
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
May be a deck spike of a ship, conservative age estimate pre- 1850's.
Object 5:
Known:
Square iron nail, similar assessment to above
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Could be from the same or similar ship as the larger spike, same age estimate.
Object 6:
Known:
Wrought iron square nut / fastener, thickness indicates meant for heavy stress
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Could be ship hardware / a "rove", could belong to a chest, etc., no idea.
Object 7:
Known:
Thick wrought iron plate, thickness indicates meant for heavy stress
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
I think this may be an early to mid 1800's steamship hardware, could be part of a boiler, etc. I don't rule out 1700's ship hardware entirely, as it could be a colonial period hinge strap, but I think it's a lot less likely. I know very little about this object so it's difficult to tell.
Object 8:
Known:
Smooth, with iron core and rock hard red-colored surface
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
This could be modern junk, I was inclined to believe that the red was a plastic covering, but the red covering is rock-hard and not like most plastics I find. Another person recommended it could be bakelite, but certainly no older than the early 1900's if it is bakelite.
Object 9:
(Large L-shape at the top in the collective photo)
Known:
Large rod, with a heavily encrusted end, presumed maritime hardware.
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Could be period, could be modern junk, need to clean it more to see more detail to make a better distinction.
Object 10:
Known:
modern fencing wire
I'm relatively new to treasure net, this my second finds post. The first post concerned my best modern find of 2025, for this one I will share my best (prospective) archaeological / artifact finds of 2025. Likewise, I've posted this in a separate forum / website, but was banned when someone violated the rules of the forum and basically, unprovoked, called me a moron, putting it lightly, for believing any of these items to be anything other than modern trash, and I politely called him out for his behavior. I was subsequently banned by a power-tripping moderator, with no prior warning or offenses. I found all of these items in a 30 yard or so patch, and found some interesting items just a few feet apart. I found all of these items on a public beach, north of Wabasso, just above the water line. All of my finds from my trip are included in one picture (except for one unidentifiable object), which I believe to be assortment of 18th century and 19th century artifacts, with some modern (20th century and 21st century) items as well. Some of these items are distinctively identifiable, while others are not. I have taken these items to be looked at in the Fisher museum as well as the McLarty museum, but both appraisals are on backlog, as they are driven by volunteer effort, so it may take a while to get feedback. Any help or feedback you can provide in identifying these objects would be much appreciated! I understand the beach is a mixed debris field, so proving provenance is extremely unlikely if not impossible without some distinctive match. For the record, I don't mind if someone believes all of this to be modern junk, as long as they are polite about it. Also, please explain any reasoning for your assessments, so that I can learn more, and be more informed on the next treasure coast hunt. To keep this post as objective as I possibly can, I've attached notes for my findings separated by categories of "Known", "Unknown", and "Speculation." I've considered getting a few of these items XRF tested, to sate my own curiosity, but am waiting on responses from the museums before I proceed. Whenever I find anything interesting, I like to learn the story behind it, for me it's part of the thrill. These finds have me particularly excited as I live in area where human activity is only extremely recent (past 50 years or so), with the exception of Native Americans, so if my speculations are correct, these would be the oldest objects I've found metal detecting thus far by a long shot. The beaches were fairly sanded-in when I hunted, and most of these were buried deep / registered as barely noticeable whisper tones when I first started digging them.
Attached below are photos of my finds and notes for each individual item. I have only (partially) cleaned one object so far (aside from removing lose encrustation), to reveal more detail, I'm currently holding off on cleaning the rest, as I want to avoid destroying context that the labs might be interested in.
Everything all together (dime I found on the same trip for scale):
Object 1:
Before Cleaning:
Front:
Back:
After Cleaning:
Front:
Back:
Known:
This is a brass bail, likely belonging to a chest, drawer, or dresser.
Unknown:
Exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Based on the uneven, granular pitting on the back, large glob of sand stuck prior to cleaning, and slight asymmetry, I believe that this bail may have been sand casted, though I'm not an expert on this. This bail seems to have a central shell motif, and it's relatively simple design leads me to believe that this bail is period (conservative estimate 1700 - 1830). My thoughts are that It may be from the 1715 fleet, but it could also be later Spanish colonial activity. I do not think it is newer than the industrial revolution at least, but it could possibly be a transitional piece, pre-Chippendale bail style as another person had recommended. I think it is too crude to be colonial revivalist, as it does not look machined to me. I also found this just a few feet away from a wrought iron handle-like object. The fanciful part of me thinks they could both have belonged to the same object, a treasure chest, but I know that's far reaching, and very difficult if not impossible to prove. The area where I detected is known for Spanish activity for many decades both before and after the 1715 fleet wrecked, and has also seen 1800's steam ships, etc. up to the modern day traffic. Any expert opinions, from friends across the pond especially, would be appreciated.
Object 2:
Known:
Wrought iron handle-like object. The tapered ends of uneven lengths and crudeness of the design heavily point to being hand forged by a blacksmith.
Unknown:
Exact age, provenance, purpose
Speculation:
Like I mentioned with the object above, this could be a hand forged wrought iron handle. Given the thickness, I am inclined to believe that this "handle" was meant for carrying heavy loads like a crate or a treasure chest. Another person mentioned also that this could potentially be a ship staple for a wooden sailing vessel. For a crude dating / approximate age, I place this strictly in the pre 1850's territory.
Object 3:
Known:
Eye hole split pin
Unknown:
Exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Originally, a person indicated to me that this looks like a modern cotter pin. I was inclined to agree, as they look very similar, and modern cotter pins were patented in the early 1900's. However, modern cotter pins are machined, and the loops at the top are formed by hole-punching. Consequently, one should see the evidence of it being hole punched at the top, with sharp edges. I do not see that. Rather, this looks like it could also be wrought iron (hand forged), formed by bending a metal bar around a mandrel. The corrosion pattern is also more consistent with wrought iron, than modern steel. While cotter pins have only existed for a little over a hundred years, they are a subset of eye hole split pins, which have been around for millennia. Conservative age estimate (1700 - 1830).
Object 4:
Known:
Wrought iron square iron spike / nail. I can very clearly feel the very distinctive, square shape profile of the spike / nail on the side that has the least amount of corrosion.
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
May be a deck spike of a ship, conservative age estimate pre- 1850's.
Object 5:
Known:
Square iron nail, similar assessment to above
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Could be from the same or similar ship as the larger spike, same age estimate.
Object 6:
Known:
Wrought iron square nut / fastener, thickness indicates meant for heavy stress
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Could be ship hardware / a "rove", could belong to a chest, etc., no idea.
Object 7:
Known:
Thick wrought iron plate, thickness indicates meant for heavy stress
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
I think this may be an early to mid 1800's steamship hardware, could be part of a boiler, etc. I don't rule out 1700's ship hardware entirely, as it could be a colonial period hinge strap, but I think it's a lot less likely. I know very little about this object so it's difficult to tell.
Object 8:
Known:
Smooth, with iron core and rock hard red-colored surface
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
This could be modern junk, I was inclined to believe that the red was a plastic covering, but the red covering is rock-hard and not like most plastics I find. Another person recommended it could be bakelite, but certainly no older than the early 1900's if it is bakelite.
Object 9:
(Large L-shape at the top in the collective photo)
Known:
Large rod, with a heavily encrusted end, presumed maritime hardware.
Unknown:
exact age, provenance
Speculation:
Could be period, could be modern junk, need to clean it more to see more detail to make a better distinction.
Object 10:
Known:
modern fencing wire
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