Western Relics, pretty brass.

metalev4

Bronze Member
Aug 12, 2006
1,165
565
I was able to get out to a favorite fort site with my brother and my friend Eric, who traveled out from Ohio for some gold prospecting and a chance to relic hunt the west. This remote location always yields something if you are willing to hunt among the millions of nails and ration cans. At times the sifter is the only way to uncover relics masked by the iron laden soil. I spent the majority of the short hunt trying to locate a trash pit or privy, however aside from the late mustard and small opium, no other bottles surfaced. The brass from this site is beautiful as you can see in the GS eagle buttons pictured below. We did pretty well with a nice variety of decent finds. A few firsts surfaced including the bore brush and butt plate, which I believe is from a Spencer (correct me if Im wrong). I also came up with a few relics needing a positive ID pictured with the bore brush. Anyway, with a new daughter on the way in August and a 3 year old boy at home, I just don't have the time that I once had for weekly hunts so a couple of times per year will have to do at this point. Thanks for looking!
-Ev
 

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Upvote 4

Bill D. (VA)

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Oct 7, 2008
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I love that shot of all the finds in the sifter. I agree with you that sifting may actually be more fun than detecting. And those buttons are in great shape too. Nice going!
 

silversweeper

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Aug 22, 2011
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Great finds. Those GS staff buttons, including the Infantry I cuff, have a gorgeous patina. Congrats on a great hunt. No bullets though? HH
 

Giant056

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Jun 10, 2007
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Awesome bunch of relics ya got there :thumbsup: That sure looks like a spencer from what I can see, a closeup of the headstamp you could tell for sure. You sure loaded up on the GS buttons.
 

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OP
OP
metalev4

metalev4

Bronze Member
Aug 12, 2006
1,165
565
Great finds. Those GS staff buttons, including the Infantry I cuff, have a gorgeous patina. Congrats on a great hunt. No bullets though? HH

I dug 3 dropped .58 minies and 2 other fired rounds. They are pictured on the screen, although not sifted
 

Steve in PA

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Jul 5, 2010
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Nice recoveries Evan! The number 3 and the buttons are indeed "pretty brass"! Good to see you getting out.
 

OP
OP
metalev4

metalev4

Bronze Member
Aug 12, 2006
1,165
565
Thanks for the nice comments. We split up the sifter finds and my friend Eric ended up with most of a bugle hat pin, and a gilted cavalry cuff. I will post them at some point. Buttons are my favorite thing to dig, and this site has some nice ones.
 

{Sentinel}

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Jan 11, 2007
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Fantastic hunt Ev. Look at all those Eagles! I agree with you, buttons have always been my favorite thing to dig as well. And I love the fact that even out West, if you do your homework and know where to look, you can find Civil War era buttons and relics in addition to the Indian Wars stuff. I must say, my favorite individual pieces are the stamped "3" and the butt plate, they're both in great shape. The bore brush is nice as well. Congrats buddy :occasion14:
 

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Steveo

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Jun 12, 2012
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Really cool finds ya got.I really dig the buttons and the #3.Good hunt...................................
 

cwhunter_1

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Feb 2, 2009
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the center piece that your holding appears to be a Tampion with cork still attached. Nice buttons too. :thumbsup:
 

jewelerguy

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Jun 28, 2011
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awesome relics. you really hauled in the buttons :headbang:
 

Gunrunner61

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Jan 12, 2011
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A bunch of cool finds, Congrat's...HH
 

Southern_Digger

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May 21, 2012
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You got a great site! Beautiful brass for sure... Congratulations. My guess, 1870-1885ish.
 

Ironman!

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Mar 25, 2009
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Nice digs Evan! Our western brass does come out nice for sure!! The "3" is very cool, I don't hardly ever dig any insignia. Keep at it!!!!

IM
 

curbdiggercarl57

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Nov 19, 2007
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Very nice Western digs!
Have yet to hit any real soldier sites, hope to this year.
You are spurring me on!
Carl
 

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