Two "Whattizzits" from a CW Camp

West Jersey Detecting · Apr 26, 2010

Two "Whattizzits" from a CW Camp

My friends and I have been detecting at an old farm site which has given up many different CW buttons and coins, as well as other items one would expect at a military camp such as thimbles, grommets, etc. The site is undocumented as a camp, and although there were no battles in NJ, its proximity to rail lines and waterways lead us to believe that this may have been a camp used by soldiers returning from the war in neighboring states such as PA, MD etc.

There have also been a number of unidentified relics, such as the two pictured. The large disk appears to have some type of crests with crosses on one side, and a wreath or floral design on the other. It is fairly thin and was bent in half when I found it. I carefully unbent it.

The other item appears to be a buckle plate made of iron, but I may be way off. Its arrowhead shape may just be random corrosion.

Any help is appreciated!!

vayank54 · Apr 26, 2010

Re: Two "Whattizzits" from a CW Camp

I can't be of any help on an ID for these. Sorry But the next time you want to bend something brass or copper try boiling it in water. Get it good and hot, take it out and slowly bend it. You may not be able to get it straight on the first try as it will cool .If you have to put it back in the water and let it get hot again. I've heard of someone using vegetable oil but I've always have used water and it has worked fine. I've straightened everything from hatpins to buckles this way. The main thing is take your time.