Explorer finds great Confederate relic!

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I received a phone call from one of my fellow middle Tennessee metal detecting club members/friend and customer. While searching with his Explorer in a small "hunted out Civil War camp" John found his first spur. He called me to ask about it. As he began to describe his find, he explained that it must be Confederate because it has a C and S embossed on each side of the rowel. The iron rowel is still present, and there is a star on each side of the spur, just behind the strap tangs. He had found mention of such a spur in a book, saying "it was made by Hamilton in Nashville." I told him that Hamilton would have been Sharp and Hamilton; aka: Nashville Plow Works (known for swords and sabers) but his spur wasn't a product of Nashville Plow Works, rather it was made by Leech and Rigdon, aka: Memphis Novelty Works. And furthermore, it was a rare CS Officers model. He was stunned to say the least when I went on to tell him that is was much rarer a find than a CSA rectangular belt plate! It is in excellent dug condition with the iron rowel intact. Tonight at our monthly club meeting I will be taking pictures and we'll get it posted ASAP. What a find! Congrats John. David @ Dixie

 

[Anonymous]

Will that rowel need to be treated to prevent it from falling apart? I would think so. That is without a doubt a great find. Congrats to him....
Don

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, the iron rowel will need preservation. I will examine it tonight and decide what route to take in preserving it. On such a small, thin piece of iron that is in contact with "red brass" (thus the beautiful, slick green patina) electrolysis is a big no-no. I suspect it will require a tedious hands on cleaning to avoid any damage. I've only found one Leech and Rigdon spur in all my years of detecting. It is an enlistedman's spur lacking the CS and stars. This is the second CS Officers spur within a year found by friends of mine. Good hunting, David @ Dixie

 

[Anonymous]

[No message]