Very cool Military item..

[olas13]

Hello all. Just came back from a quick dig at an old farm. I got a great signal after digging a few very iffy ones. I'm usually a beach hunter but a friend had asked me to help find a lost ring. He told me that his farm was early 1700's and I might find something interesting in the process.
So off we go. Heres a couple of pics. Looks like flint lock rifles to me. Great threaded "button" on reverse for attaching to, hat? collar?
Hoping someone can narrow down the era for me.
Very bent but whole! The first # is a 2 (can be seen in one pic) the second is 1. "B"
21 st Battalion??
Also if anyone knows what metal it is made of I would like to straighten it. Thanks in advance.

I"m very excited to hear form you Military Guys.
Enjoy

 

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[old digger]

That's a nice military hat pin or lapel pin? Congratulations!

 

[Hot zone]

I would try heating it before trying to bend it right.Nice one!

 

[mjc_lakedweller]

Dude that's amazing, it still has the pin back. Most excellent find!!!!!!!

 

[cwhunter_1]

nice find Olas13. Here's a site that might help Evolution of U.S. Army Infantry Insignia the crossed 1795 springfield rifles was introduced in 1875, so it may be WWI. cool find none the less...

 

[jewelerguy]

I believe it is WW1 vintage. most likely made of brass.

 

[september]

Nice find!!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Nice pin! What you have is a pre WW1 21st Infantry Company B collar or cap insignia. I'm not sure of the date range off hand but I'll try to find out for you if no one gets it first. Here's a good pic for you:



EDIT: Yours is the type made between 1875 and 1905 when the muskets were replaced by Springfield 03 rifles. More specifically from the page I found this info on it appears that the style of the rifle stock would narrow it down to 1896 - 1905, however the pic I posted is from 1916, so they were still in use then. I need to do a bit more research but I can try to verify that date range for you.


EDIT : It is brass, it can be straightened, but keep in mind it's going to be very brittle, and heating it with a torch will burn the metal and ruin the patina. Pins like that you only get one shot with, and if you push too much they will break. If I had found it, and wanted to try to straighten it myself, I would try heating it in an oven for a while to soften the metal and use artists paintprush handles or wood dowels instead of any metal tool that might scratch it up or leave marks. Go slowly.... Be very patient.

 

[olas13]

Thanks Ken, and everyone else. Very knowlegable group here! I'll attempt to straighten it but that one rifle is bent into an S.
HH. Bob.

 

[Joe88]

Very Cool!!!
Congrats!!


Joe

 

[materdigger1]

Awsome find

 

[ticm]

That would hit my display box. Nice.

 

[ibjeepn]

Cool ! Congrats !

 

[fortbybee]

That is really neat !

 

[Giant056]

Very cool find for sure

 

[Gunrunner61]

Awesome find! Very cool!!!.....HH

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Good luck straightening it up, please post some pics of the process and the outcome!

 

[Indian Steve]

VERY NICE ! What kind of bike is your avatar? Is it yours?