Ugly, but to me, a beauty!

[mfjohnson]

This past June, while hunting a local battlefield, I located an object in/beneath a live tree. Normally, I would not worry too much about an object if I couldn't retrieve it after 30-45 mins. I simply would move on, looking for another target. However, this one was different. The signal was much "bigger" than what I was use to and wouldn't disc out, even at the highest level. But, I couldn't retrieve the object. It was beneath a mature ceder.
After talking with a few friends, I started believing the object was most likely an artillery shell of some sort. On my return trips to this area, i always would return to this tree and "play around", hoping my trusty wal-mart shovel and vibra-probe would, just maybe, help me get a glimpse of this mystery target. However, recently my curiosty took ahold, and I decided I would bring a few tools (hatchet, cordless drill with various bits) to see what kind of shell was in the ground.

After removing about 8 inches of wood, the probe finally located the object. It was almost dead center under this tree, about 5-6 inches below ground level. After removing the wood chips, I noticed it wasn't iron at all, but brass. Now moving at a slower, more careful pace hoping something might be left of it, I was able to free the object. Below. are some pics.

As you can see, it sure took a beating! But, there's probably not many recoveries as difficult as this one; a delicate object surrounded by thick, live wood underground.

Nevertheless, this was my first plate/buckle and to me, it's beautiful



Thanks for reading,

Mike

 

[romeo-1]

Nice job! Did you put the hole in it with the drill?

 

[{Sentinel}]

Oh So bittersweet!!! Beautiful find...I see the big drill holes going through the tree...looks like they struck the plate too

Congrats on finding such a rare relic....Too bad that it was in such a tough spot to get to and that there wasn't a way to know what was 'in' there beforehand.

 

[Evolution]

Nice buckle but I don't think you're going to be able to fill that hole back in.

 

[mfjohnson]

Hey romeo,

Yeah, I hit it with the drill several times. I just have to tell myself. "there was no other way"!

mike

 

[Copperhead]

Nice find.....man this deserves to make the banner on pure perseverance alone...looking at the size of that tree and not knowing what the target was I think you did pretty good...Congrats..

 

[kg6yll]

Awesome post. Your determination paid off.

 

[Evolution]

Like i said above, I like the find. Very nice. I'm not against cutting a small tree root underground if you've got a good signal. However, I cant say I would have done that to a tree just to satisfy my curiousity about what was under it. Is this private land? If its public I can see someone coming along and saying "who did this to this tree?" If its private and the land owner doesn't care then OK. I'm sorry if I sound judgemental but I just wanted to voice my opinion here. We all need to represent this hobby in a positive light if we want to be able to keep hunting sites like this. Sorry about the soapbox speech. Carry on!

 

[Copperhead]

Like i said above, I like the find. Very nice. I'm not against cutting a small tree root underground if you've got a good signal. However, I cant say I would have done that to a tree just to satisfy my curiousity about what was under it. Is this private land? If its public I can see someone coming along and saying "who did this to this tree?" If its private and the land owner doesn't care then OK. I'm sorry if I sound judgemental but I just wanted to voice my opinion here. We all need to represent this hobby in a positive light if we want to be able to keep hunting sites like this. Sorry about the soapbox speech. Carry on!

You do have a valid point...I made the assumption(which I shouldn't have) that it was done on private property, with permission...IMO (based on 15 years of nursery work).. what he did to the tree isn't going to kill it...but if this was done on public land or without permission I'd have to agree with you...if not, I see no problem with his recovery..

 

[mfjohnson]

Evo,

You're right, I did have trouble filling that hole, but honestly, it didn't look too bad when I left. To answer your question, yes it was private land and I did have the owners permission. In addition, I ALWAYS share my finds with the landowners. With this landowner, I have given numerous dropped/fired/melted bullets, a flat button, various brass items (rivets, fired casings) after learning her grandson was excited by a dropped bullet I had given her after my first hunt. Resulting from this, the landowner actually is EXCITED to see me when I stop by. She even said I can come by whenever, even if nobody is home (which is good, given there's probably 15-20 acers here). Furthermore, I try to act and look presentable WHENEVER I enjoy this hobby (polite, clean shaven, nicely groomed, wearing my "traveling" khakis and a collared, button-up shirt, since the battle occurred in what is now a very exclusive area (1-3 million dollor estates)). So, I think you are mistaken. Not to get on a high horse but, I believe this hobby would have a stellar reputation if everyone acted as I do.

Mike

 

[Copperhead]

Evo,

You're right, I did have trouble filling that hole, but honestly, it didn't look too bad when I left. To answer your question, yes it was private land and I did have the owners permission. In addition, I ALWAYS share my finds with the landowners. With this landowner, I have given numerous dropped/fired/melted bullets, a flat button, various brass items (rivets, fired casings) after learning her grandson was excited by a dropped bullet I had given her after my first hunt. Resulting from this, the landowner actually is EXCITED to see me when I stop by. She even said I can come by whenever, even if nobody is home (which is good, given there's probably 15-20 acers here). Furthermore, I try to act and look presentable WHENEVER I enjoy this hobby (polite, clean shaven, nicely gromed, wearing my "traveling" khakis and a collored, button-up shirt, since the battle occured in what is now a very exclusive area (1-3 million dollor estates)). So, I think you are mistaken. Not to get on a high horse but, I believe this hobby would have a steller reputation if everyone acted as I do.

Mike

Good to hear Mike......Nice find...

 

[Montana Jim]

Outstanding...

It wouldnt bother me a bit to revover it that way... you did good!

 

[{Sentinel}]

Well, IMHO, the plate is worth the hole And as CopperHead said, the tree will live

 

[Evolution]

I'm not looking to start an ethics battle here. It's not my place to do so. I was just voicing an opinion. I'm glad you had the owners permission. I hope you make some more good finds there.

 

[Kas]

That's a hell of a job getting that out. Pack some dirt around that tree base, or black pitch, or black spray paint, it'll heal.

I am not a fan of butchering a tree like that, I understand it though, and give you kudos for your effort. I wouldn't have undertaken that task unless my detector said sack of gold coin under the tree.I do hope it heals up.

Congrats on the drill bit holder, er, um, belt plate.

Ken

 

[BuckleBoy]

I've been a CW relic hunter for 16 years now...If I even slightly suspected it might be a shell under there, I don't think I'd take a drill ANYWHERE near it. Not without an automated, water-cooled drill press. Could've been a sad day for you and your family if it had been a shell...

Just my two cents.

-Buckleboy

 

[Montana Jim]

I've been a CW relic hunter for 16 years now...If I even slightly suspected it might be a shell under there, I don't think I'd take a drill ANYWHERE near it. Not without an automated, water-cooled drill press. Could've been a sad day for you and your family if it had been a shell...

Just my two cents.

-Buckleboy

Buckles... good point! Seriously!

I vote Buckle Boy as TreasureNet Safety Monitor

 

[WeaponsUSMC]

Dedication is the key to this hobby, and you proved you have it. Great find, the drill holes will always remind you what it took to get at what we crave. grats.....HH.......Bill

 

[TnT2000]

All I can say this is taking detecting and recovery to a whole new level...POWER TOOLS....nice find...TnT

 

[zartan7779]

wow interesting post .... so many points and things of such

well i must say grats on your find .