What have I got here?

Tony (NC) · Feb 19, 2011

This is the first thing I ever found with a metal detector many moons ago. "U.S. Army Artillery" with crossed cannons. I gotta tell ya....I was HOOKED! I was going through some things today and ran across it again. I never got a positive ID on this. It's stamped out of what I believe is tin. I can't see where there was ever any type of attachment. It's 1.5" in diameter and really thin. What do you guys think it is? Time period? Thanks!

RelicHunter97 · Feb 19, 2011

I would like to say collar stud...but not sure. Cool find nonetheless.

Relichunter97

RickyD · Feb 20, 2011

Could be the front half to a two piece button. Nice find.

NOLA_Ken · Feb 20, 2011

I don't think I've seen that one before, but based on the size my first thought would be a hat pin. probably was a two piece and is just missing the back. Does it show any signs of having been brass plated?

Tony (NC) · Feb 20, 2011

RickyD said:
Could be the front half to a two piece button. Nice find.

I think it's too big to be a button. It's larger than a half dollar.

Tony (NC) · Feb 20, 2011

NOLA_Ken said:
I don't think I've seen that one before, but based on the size my first thought would be a hat pin. probably was a two piece and is just missing the back. Does it show any signs of having been brass plated?

My first thought was a hat insignia, but did they make them in 2 piece? :dontknow:

I've never seen one. No signs of being brass plated. No signs of any type of attachments.

NOLA_Ken · Feb 21, 2011

Ok, I searched all over, and have two possibilities, the first is a WW1 collar insignia, it would likely have had a flab bar across the back with a pin on it that has fallen off, the second is something called an "equipment marker". I'm not sure what those were used for, but I found a few that were similar. Still haven't found an exact match for yours, but I sent your pic to my buddy and we'll see if he knows.

ivan salis · Feb 21, 2011

looks like a US military ARMY ARTILLERY WW1 era collar disc type pin --to me --stud most likely rusted away

trixie charger · Feb 21, 2011

Could it be half of a Challenge Coin :icon_scratch:

Tony (NC) · Feb 21, 2011

NOLA_Ken said:
Ok, I searched all over, and have two possibilities, the first is a WW1 collar insignia, it would likely have had a flab bar across the back with a pin on it that has fallen off, the second is something called an "equipment marker". I'm not sure what those were used for, but I found a few that were similar. Still haven't found an exact match for yours, but I sent your pic to my buddy and we'll see if he knows.

You might be on to something with the "equipment marker". It was found at a site where an old barn had been torn down. There had been all kinds of "Stuff" in the barn. I'm excited to see what your buddy says.

Kenosha Kid · Feb 21, 2011

I don't think it's an equipment marker. Here are two pictures; the first is Coast Artillery (stamped); the second one is Field Artillery (unstamped). Both are from WW I.

This link references some 'unauthorized by the War Dept.' disks (see page 90), though yours is not one of them.

http://books.google.com/books?id=tr...#v=onepage&q=US Artillery collar disk&f=false

Also note that almost all disks state a diameter of 1"; yours is 1.5". #6-153 is one of "several noteworthy variations", slightly larger than 1", and "made in Germany after WW I for occupation troops". Maybe you have a variation?

Bigcypresshunter · Feb 21, 2011

Assuming its WWI or earlier, have you considered the possibility that its horse related?

NOLA_Ken · Feb 21, 2011

Ok, I heard back from my friend, He doesn't think equipment tag since there isn't a place for it to be stamped, and is thinking maybe it was part of a plaque. I've looked all over and can't find an exact match, but hers a pic of what I have in mind.

Tony (NC) · Feb 22, 2011

bigcypresshunter said:
Assuming its WWI or earlier, have you considered the possibility that its horse related?

Yes...I have thought about that, but figured anything like that would be "Cavalry". But since it was found at the site of an old barn, maybe it could be.... :dontknow:

Rmeav8r · Feb 22, 2011

I don't think it is an insignia from WW1 at all. It's too large to have been worn as a collar device and it wouldn't have the branch symbol and artillery spelled out like that. Might be part of a kids toy or game.

DCMatt · Feb 22, 2011

Tony (NC) said:
bigcypresshunter said:

Assuming its WWI or earlier, have you considered the possibility that its horse related?

Click to expand...

Yes...I have thought about that, but figured anything like that would be "Cavalry". But since it was found at the site of an old barn, maybe it could be....

I have to agree with BCH. It could be the face off a bridle rosette. I have a CW bullseye rosette that one of the guys in my club identified as an Union artillery horse rosette. Of course it looks nothing like yours but the point is that there was a rosette specifically for artillery horses. Yours could be post CW but pre-WWI.

DCMatt

Rmeav8r · Feb 22, 2011

DCMatt said:
Tony (NC) said:

bigcypresshunter said:

Assuming its WWI or earlier, have you considered the possibility that its horse related?

Click to expand...

Yes...I have thought about that, but figured anything like that would be "Cavalry". But since it was found at the site of an old barn, maybe it could be....

Click to expand...

I have to agree with BCH. It could be the face off a bridle rosette. I have a CW bullseye rosette that one of the guys in my club identified as an Union artillery horse rosette. Of course it looks nothing like yours but the point is that there was a rosette specifically for artillery horses. Yours could be post CW but pre-WWI.

DCMatt

Lots of details here.

http://www.lovettartillery.com/US_ARMY_Horse_Drawn_Equipment_.htm

Tony (NC) · Feb 24, 2011

Lots of details here.

http://www.lovettartillery.com/US_ARMY_Horse_Drawn_Equipment_.htm
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Great information! Hopefully we can solve this one soon. Thanks for the link.