WooHooo, Found Another

[bearbqd]

This was very unexpected today. I have permission to hunt a 140 acre area where a housing development was going to go in a couple of years ago. The area I've hunted mostly is right where an old house used to be that they have since leveled. The first time I was there last year, I found an unexpected 3 ringer under the gravel in the driveway. Since then I have never found anything else civil war related. I've found a couple of old coins and lots of flat buttons. I decided to endure the high trash area of fill over the house site and low and behold this baby pops out at about 4 inches depth. I couldn't believe it.

Unfortunately its not in nearly as good of shape as the other one I found a couple years back. Even after cleaning with soap and water and a tooth brush it still seems to have some deep seated crud on it. It reminds me of the ocean cement you find on things a lot at the ocean. I want to electrolysize it some to see if it will release some of the crud. I have a feeling it has much better detail underneath. I wanted to ask the experts opinions on here first to see if I should or not. Surely it couldn't look any worse. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks.

Pics are before and after cleaning

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Geeez!

Banner finds.

 

[Tnrelicman]

I go along with 4-H on that.

 

[bearbqd]

Well, if I can't get any advice after 150 views then I'm going forward with it, lol. Already starting to look a little better.

 

[Skelly607]

Sweet!

 

[Iron Patch]

Nice plate but tough condition to deal with.

 

[nova]

Nice plate but tough condition to deal with.

YEP!

 

[Iron Patch]

Maybe try a toothpick to remove more of the crud. Chemical, or more of it could be a problem because the signs are already showing.

 

[Mr Tuff]

killer CW find!!!!! MR TUFF

 

[MiniMe]

Very sweet find...how'd it turn out?

 

[treasurehound]

Awesome recovery. Very nice.

 

[mainer]

Sweet!

 

[texjim]

Nice job.. i don't know what to tell you about cleaning it.

 

[civilman1]

Nice one Bear.....show us a pic when she's done

 

[Buck Rabbit]

Great find!!!

 

[kuger]

Great find!!!

 

[JerV3]

That is a nice plate.

I would clean it personally. You can get nice results tumbling then taking a small hammer and small screw driver with cloth overtop of it and start to tap the corrosion/cement right off. I have done it to many relics and got them back really good. Be careful on what ever step you take to clean it.

HH Jer

 

[bearbqd]

I think I have to disagree on it being burned. Brass has a melting point of 1600 degrees and campfires can get up to 3140 degrees. I think it would have showed more melting evidence. It just seems to have some bad ground crud on it. Maybe a reaction to chemicals dumped in the ground or fertilizers. Its definitely cleaning up better as I use electrolysis on it. I'll post a pic when its done.

 

[teleman 2525]

very nice buckle

 

[Johnny Ringo Silver]

To me, it looks like it has been in some wet ground for quite some time! Whether it was under gravel or sand, it just has that look to it. Sweet find regardless!! 8) Johnny