I was tied up until 1:30 today but planned to go out afterwards. I have been doing some research on the web looking at dates of parks, schools, houses, etc. After my last appointment today I had a decision to make. Do I drive away from town to an older school built in the 1950's or do I drive back closer to home to an old house that was built in 1875?
Being somewhat frustrated with myself for waiting so long to start adding door knocking to my metal detecting routine I thought "Screw it, the worst they can say is no" So off to the old house I drove.
I pulled into the drive, walked to the side door, and knocked. This little old man came to the door. He must have been as old as the house.
) I told him my name, told him I lived up the road and that I do metal detecting as a hobby. I said that while doing some research I noticed that his house was built in 1875. He said 1886. I said oh, that's still pretty old. (I wasn't going to argue with him over the city records) I then said, I just stopped by to see If you would give me your permission to metal detect on your property. He said just my property? I said yes sir. (I guess he wanted to make sure I didn't drift into his neighbor's yard) He said "Sure, go ahead" I said thank you and went and got my stuff.
I detected for about 3 hours and it was hot as hell but I could not quit without finding something. There were several big trees with shade that helped but working in the sun was brutal.
The house had been re roofed along the way so all around the foundation was littered with old roofing nails. After digging one to see what it was I had to move out to the yard and around the walk. There is no way I could cover his whole front and back yard in one visit so I stayed in front working the walk, trees and yard.
I found one 1938 Wheat Penny, a couple dimes from the 70's, a quarter from 1980, and a very old pocket knife.
I know there is a lot more there and the wheat indicates there could be silver. Before I left, I went back to the house and told the old man thank you. I told him there was just no way I could cover the entire yard in just a few hours and asked if I could come back. He said "Sure, just let us know when you are here". I said will do, and thanked him again for his hospitality.
I will definitely be going back there a few times before the summer is out. I will also hit up his neighbors at some point. Their homes were built in the 1940's. Probably chunks of the same land sold off at some point for the other houses.
I didn't find that old cache or even silver, but it was still a good trip and just proved to me that there is nothing to fear in asking.
On a side note I made sure to keep my holes as small a possible, dig a nice 3/4 moon plug and fold it back, and then place all the dirt on a drape. After I was finished I dumped the dirt back in the hole, folded down the plug, and pressed it back into place. Nobody should be able to tell I was even there.
What I learned:
I dug the pocket knife because I was getting good conductive numbers bouncing around and the FE numbers were not iron. I was thinking this is a mutli-metal target or could be a pocket spill with various types of coins. Sure enough the pocket knife had variety of metals on it. Something that looks like silver between the wood handle but is probably stainless steel, brass on the end, and maybe copper pins in the handle. I think the wheat cent came in around 12/44. I'm going to start carrying a pocket notepad to right down the numbers and the depth along with my guess BEFORE I dig. Then follow-up with what it actually was. I also learned that it is important to pack a cooler for the summer heat with ice and water to drink. I had some water but it was warm by the time a needed to drink it.
Being somewhat frustrated with myself for waiting so long to start adding door knocking to my metal detecting routine I thought "Screw it, the worst they can say is no" So off to the old house I drove.
I pulled into the drive, walked to the side door, and knocked. This little old man came to the door. He must have been as old as the house.
) I told him my name, told him I lived up the road and that I do metal detecting as a hobby. I said that while doing some research I noticed that his house was built in 1875. He said 1886. I said oh, that's still pretty old. (I wasn't going to argue with him over the city records) I then said, I just stopped by to see If you would give me your permission to metal detect on your property. He said just my property? I said yes sir. (I guess he wanted to make sure I didn't drift into his neighbor's yard) He said "Sure, go ahead" I said thank you and went and got my stuff.I detected for about 3 hours and it was hot as hell but I could not quit without finding something. There were several big trees with shade that helped but working in the sun was brutal.
The house had been re roofed along the way so all around the foundation was littered with old roofing nails. After digging one to see what it was I had to move out to the yard and around the walk. There is no way I could cover his whole front and back yard in one visit so I stayed in front working the walk, trees and yard.
I found one 1938 Wheat Penny, a couple dimes from the 70's, a quarter from 1980, and a very old pocket knife.
I know there is a lot more there and the wheat indicates there could be silver. Before I left, I went back to the house and told the old man thank you. I told him there was just no way I could cover the entire yard in just a few hours and asked if I could come back. He said "Sure, just let us know when you are here". I said will do, and thanked him again for his hospitality.
I will definitely be going back there a few times before the summer is out. I will also hit up his neighbors at some point. Their homes were built in the 1940's. Probably chunks of the same land sold off at some point for the other houses.
I didn't find that old cache or even silver, but it was still a good trip and just proved to me that there is nothing to fear in asking.
On a side note I made sure to keep my holes as small a possible, dig a nice 3/4 moon plug and fold it back, and then place all the dirt on a drape. After I was finished I dumped the dirt back in the hole, folded down the plug, and pressed it back into place. Nobody should be able to tell I was even there.
What I learned:
I dug the pocket knife because I was getting good conductive numbers bouncing around and the FE numbers were not iron. I was thinking this is a mutli-metal target or could be a pocket spill with various types of coins. Sure enough the pocket knife had variety of metals on it. Something that looks like silver between the wood handle but is probably stainless steel, brass on the end, and maybe copper pins in the handle. I think the wheat cent came in around 12/44. I'm going to start carrying a pocket notepad to right down the numbers and the depth along with my guess BEFORE I dig. Then follow-up with what it actually was. I also learned that it is important to pack a cooler for the summer heat with ice and water to drink. I had some water but it was warm by the time a needed to drink it.