Musketball location produces possibly my oldest relic recovery

[TomB]

I returned to the location where I have found a number of .69 cal musket balls. I found four more .69 cal balls and a piece of melted lead. From this same area I recovered what I think is a part from a flintlock type weapon. As you can see from the pic a piece of flint is encased in a piece of metal. It was about 10" and gave a TID of 36. Most of the brass I find is in the 32 to 36 range. Any help identifying the piece would be appreciated. HH TomB

 

[7centsworth]

That is one sweet find. looks like a flintlock flint to me. I would take a find like that any day. That is a find of alive time in my book. I would have wet my pants finding that.

 

[TomB]

I carefully removed the flint from the holder for the purpose of better photo. I also post on T-Net.
You can read responses by going to www.T-Net.Com and clicking on What is It. TomB

 

[jpdane]

I couldn't have said it any better 7censtworth. That is what keeps us out there. Great find Tom. Hopefully I'll be as lucky someday.
Joel

 

[TURNMASTER]

Tom that is a very cool find. I would have probably thrown such an item away (I hope not). Good thing I live in a fairly young part of the coultry. I will have to look more closley at my "trash".

Jeff

 

[Idaho PRB]

That is definetly a gun flint. The lead wrap is so the flint will stay in place when clamped down in the jaws of the lock. Some wraps were made of leather and wouldn't have set off the detector, or lasted in the ground. Some people believe that the lead being heavier than leather actually improved lock time while others thought it was hard on the lock because of the extra weight. Cool find!!

 

[Smith1]

Great find ! Thats my digging buddy !

 

[Terra1959]

Good for you Tom

Thats a nice little piece of history right there.
Congratulations

T59

 

[Carolina Phil]

That's exactly what it looks like Tom. I've never seen a find quite like that.

 

[moa]

Hey Tom, Long time No posts from me. your gunflint with its lead holder appears to be french, due to the honey colour chert used. Also It could be a trade item seeing the flint is heavily worn..... pre 1790 I would say maybe 1760s!!! exciting.

 

[TomB]

Hey Tom, Long time No posts from me. your gunflint with its lead holder appears to be french, due to the honey colour chert used. Also It could be a trade item seeing the flint is heavily worn..... pre 1790 I would say maybe 1760s!!! exciting.

Thanks moa...several others think it is also French. I'm not sure I understand your statement "Also it could be a trade item seeing the flint is heavily worn" Please explain. I'm a bit slow at times..lol. Tom