Went back to possible picket post

[FatCat]

Went back to to my small spot today with some friends. found a 'Jew's harp'. Friend Steve found half a soldiers mess knife.

 

[FatCat]

Does anyone have more info on this?

 

[garthbfan169]

Nice find fatcat!!

 

[allen]

that is one sweet find !!

 

[BuckleBoy]

It seems like I never see these items in mid-1800s sites. From my experience digging, the Jew's Harp went out of fashion in the early 1800s and was replaced by the harmonica. We dig primarily CW era homesteads here in KY (1830s-70s), and I have not found a jew's harp at any of the sites dating within that time frame.


Great find--and it is awesome that it is complete except for the iron piece in the center.



Best Wishes,



Buckles

 

[truckinbutch]

I don't see these items in mid-1800s sites. From my experience digging, the Jew's Harp went out of fashion in the early 1800s and was replaced by the harmonica.


Great find--and it is awesome that it is complete except for the iron piece in the center.



Best Wishes,



Buckles

What he said .

 

[ashleysflyr]

I learned how to play the jews harp as a kid (though some of you would still call me a kid...26y/o) maybe it's a more recent drop...I lost mine about 10 years ago...

~Tom

 

[BuckleBoy]

I learned how to play the jews harp as a kid (though some of you would still call me a kid...26y/o) maybe it's a more recent drop...I lost mine about 10 years ago...

~Tom

The way to tell if it's newer is to see if there are file-marks on the brass.

 

[FatCat]

I don't see any file marks and it was found at a small CW camp or picket site.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I don't see any file marks and it was found at a small CW camp or picket site.

The file marks will look like old scratches or scrapes--like on the edges of cast brass items like stirrups and spurs. All old cast items had these, where the workers trimmed them and cut away any rough or sharp edges. This was even more important for an item that was placed in the mouth.


-Buckles

 

[nyiangelo]

I wonder if they knew this tune

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[FatCat]

I will have to take some micro lens close ups of the metal and then enlarge them on PC. If it was used a lot then it might be worn fairly smooth. The few pictures I could find that looked like this one were of very old harps.

 

[rjw4law]

I like it.

 

[FatCat]

I found all the CW keepers at this site at 6-8 inches, the harp was at about 8.

 

[JimBeHuntin']

Cool find ... you don't see many of these dug

 

[baspinall]

I know I found one identical at a Rev. war site. I would say it is old.

Brian

 

[FatCat]

There are file marks that are especially evident around the inside of the circular part.