Very cool (but rough) find!

[BladeRunner2019]

Very cool find! - Updated with new pics

See post #13 for updated pics.

I found this last weekend at the old house site where I found a few IHPs and a nickel trifecta. When I dug it I thought it was just an old piece of junk metal. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed it had some designs on it.

I posted it on the what is it forum tonight and got a response right away. (Thank you Jewelerguy! )

It's rough, but thanks to Jewelerguy I'm pretty sure this is an 1840 era militia plate. See bottom pic for what it should look like.

I hate it's in such rough condition. It's probably too far gone but I wish I could be somewhat flattened/restored.

Front

Backside

Here are the pics jewelerguy provided. I found the description online that goes with the pics.

From a North Carolina estate - 1840 era dropped wing eagle stamped brass Militia "Panel Plate". These plates were commonly carried over from an earlier era, and worn by Confederates. This example came out of the estate with a number of Confederate pieces.

 

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[trapperart]

Very nice find congrats

 

[P@tch]

That's an awesome find bladerunner. When I look through my junk it's still just junk. Congratulations

 

[against the wind]

Excellent find,
Congrats

 

[Trezurehunter]

Its still a very nice find.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Killer BR killer!

There are people that could restore that plate, or get it as good as it could be anyway.

Congrats on a really nice find. You have been doing well this year.

 

[Subterranean]

Killer BR killer!

There are people that could restore that plate, or get it as good as it could be anyway.

Congrats on a really nice find. You have been doing well this year.

Congrats Bladerunner! That is an awesome find. Sub

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Killer BR killer!

There are people that could restore that plate, or get it as good as it could be anyway.

Congrats on a really nice find. You have been doing well this year.

Thanks Tom! I wonder what something like that may cost.

I also wanted to add, that I found that description on Pinterest so it's not like it came from a reliable source. Then again, everything on the interwebs is true, right?

 

[Carolina Tom]

Thanks Tom! I wonder what something like that may cost.

I also wanted to add, that I found that description on Pinterest so it's not like it came from a reliable source. Then again, everything on the interwebs is true, right?

I can assume that it would cost $100 or more, HOWEVER, that is a killer little piece of history, and would look awesome in a little frame. You are not likely to find another one of those. It has a lot of detail on it, I believe that they would heat and straighten it right out.

If I were you... I'd reach out to TNetter: "Bill D. (Va.)". He recently had a sword guard restored, and it looks killer. He could give you specifics about cost.

Again: Congrats on a really nice find.

And, yes, if it is on the internet, it is TRUE!

 

[metalev4]

Great find. They definitely are much more rare than US plates. Here is one I dug on the VA Peninsula on the outskirts of a union Camp

 

[dirtscratcher]

Pretty cool.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Great find. They definitely are much more rare than US plates. Here is one I dug on the VA Peninsula on the outskirts of a union Camp

Nice! Yours is in slightly better shape than mine.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Well that didn't take long. I shipped the plate off on Wednesday and this weekend Roland sent me pics of the progress. In my discussions with him about doing the restoration, I indicated that I wanted a minimal restore and to keep it original as possible. He agreed to take it to a point he felt comfortable with (since his name would be associated with it) and then let me decide if I wanted to take it any further. I realize the plate is probably not worth what it cost me, but I'll probably never find another so I decided to do it.

Based on the pics below I have decided to stop the restoration at this point. Considering the condition it was dug, I think it turned out pretty amazing!





Here is what I sent him...