Last Hunt of Year (?) Produces a Couple Sweet Buckles...

[Erik in NJ]

The weather was in the 40's on Saturday and I had a chance to get out for 2 hours or so to a spot I'd hit before that had produced some nice relics.

My first target (as I hacked through a couple inches of frozen ground) was a surprise! This small, sweet, buckle...my first working buckle (all prior have had the tongue rusted off)! Only marking I can find on it is the "o" where the tongue rests. Have dug a number of buckles before at various sites, but this was one of the smallest, most ornate, and still working!

[attachment 181999 SmallBuckle-1front720dpi.jpg]
[attachment 182003 SmallBuckle-1back720dpi.jpg]

Interestingly enough, about 5 minutes later, I dug this little gem which I believe is even older:

[attachment 182005 SmallBuckle-2front720dpi.jpg]
[attachment 182006 SmallBuckle-2back720dpi.jpg]

On the back it is inscribed "PAT APP'D FOR" and it is also a working buckle!! I believe both to be 19th century as this is the era of the homestead where it was found.

Finally, as the light was fading I recovered this nice little pin:

[attachment 182011 GodBlessAmericaPinfront720dpi.jpg]
[attachment 182012 GodBlessAmericaPinback720dpi.jpg]

This is obviously 20th century, but the colors were nice and it was gilded at one point. The back is inscribed "JC POLLACK CO" and "CHICAGO"

So all in all not a bad two hours and possible last, short, hunt!

 

[Hotcz70]

I love that old stuff my friend. I just never find those types of items in my parks. I sure as heck like to see the pics from those that do though

 

[TokenDigger]

Neat finds - love those relics!

 

[captn_se]

I've never seen any others like the ones you just found before.

I'd be content if that was my last hunt of the season!!

My season here never ends...I'll try and keep the finds coming for you!!

Congrats,
CAPTN SE
Dan

 

[dewcon4414]

Buttons and Buckles ... i like finding them both. Those buckles look like the mid 1800s. Before that they were pretty plan ... and before that they had spikes instead of stems. Most of mine are from long gone home steads. Maybe the weather will allow for another one.... if the snow stays and it dont get to freezing we still have a shot.

Dew

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks Bryce - all 3 relics were pleasant surprises as my time was limited on Sat. Parts of this property are loaded with iron - you'd do well there...I sure can't find much in those spots. Oddly enough not a lot of coins there, new or old, but some interesting relics.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks TD - each one is it's own story isn't it? I love finding relics too!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks Dan - always tough when the detecting year ends due to the cold...at least I didn't get skunked like last Saturday

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks for your comments Dew. I agree with the mid-1800s timeframe. They're both interesting buckles and a real surprise with the tang intact. I find myself wondering what the smaller one was for as it is quite tiny. Also wonder what made in patentable. Any ideas as to what these may have been used for?

 

[CSA GHOST]

Nice finds Eric. Your God Bless America buckle is really a find!
GH,
David

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi David! Thanks very much for your comments. I should have listed the dimensions on the God Bless America item as it's about 3/4" wide by 1" tall. I think it was a patriotic shield pin. The colors sure are still vibrant after cleaning it. It was gilded at one point and must have looked nice when new. Any info on it would be appreciated! Thanks again!!

 

[Dave-IL]

Nice finds Erik. I still haven't cleaned my old token-coin-counterfeit-whatever- any further. I just like the patina on it and the more I messed with it the more of the detail of everything disappeared so I am leaving it alone.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi Dave! Thanks for your reply! I do recommend you restore that cool find so you can id it. I would not hesitate to use soap, water, and a toothbrush. If it still needs more restoration I'd let it sit in a dish of room temperature hydrogen peroxide for several hours. It should clean up well for you. If it were me I'd need to find out what it is I cleaned all of these finds in boiling peroxide and it was very gentle - just removing the dirt - you can see the nice patina intact on each.

 

[dewcon4414]

They must have been made for something specific. Ive have plenty of those with the twisted tong but most of mine are clearly for horse equipment or shoes and they are pretty plain. It would be interesting if you posted a picture of it on YAHOO ANSWERS to see what kind of response you get.

Dew