Saddle Up Yer Hosses & Git Ready to Ride, Boys! (Grab a Beverage)

[William-NM]

Wal, thar I was, doing a little recon around the stone ruins the other day, when I got a big iron signal that just said 'dig me'. Now, there are thousands of chunks of big iron down there- everything from appliances to cars to building supports, mostly from the floods that distributed what used to be Main street over a couple of miles of creek & flood plain. But, sometimes your antennae are in tune with the cosmos, enabling you to hone in on some treasures just before you go completely insane. Such was the case on this afternoon. Down I dug, about 6" or so, and here's the result:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img839/8484/rlto.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> Well, I love anything horsey or cowboy-ey or toys-ey, so I was pleased enough to do a little happy dance and praise the powers that be. Of course, us old timers know to check the hole for more treasures, which I did, and out comes this little fillie: <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img15/2658/wbbb.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> Well, I went a little crazy and did a litlle KG-type run-around and hollering. I just barely managed not to jump up into a tree or fling myself into the creek. Dos Horsages, baby!! Two of 'em. Well, I never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, so a few minutes later, I figgered out that the two pieces might just go together, which resulted in this: <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img16/4391/45x0.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>



WooHoo, ain't that purdy!! Here's the area where I dug it -the creek is just out of sight. <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img41/3352/pxm3.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

Wal, it continued to be a horsey kind of week - I found this Silver plated western buckle, the solid brass piece next to it that I was holding upside down and thinkin' 'this shore is a sturdy little hanger', heh. Also, a couple of concha belt decorations, the usual harmonica reeds, iron bridle rings, etc. The four items below the reeds may be the equivalent of tuning forks?? <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img593/8148/awps.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Here's the rest of the hoss stuff, including an unusual un-smashed, un-rusted enamelware cookpot. Though it didn't show up too well, there's also a mother of pearl pistol grip and what may have been a metal grip. This is the second Aluminum horseshoe that I've found. Were they used in racing? There was once a horse track about a mile away. <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img547/2156/gyth.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Here's a nice old REO padlock with a patent date of April 11, 1876. I sold it on eBay, my mistake of the month, heh. It went for $26.55. I knew that it was vacation time, but Tigger wanted some spending money to impress his girlfriends. The last identical lock of this type sold in May for $170 (with a key, in working condition). I would have just as soon kept it for that paltry sum, but somebody got a good deal. Here it is, along with a key for the same kind of lock - you just push it in, no turning: Aw, shucks. I guess ya' just gotta stop and smell the flowers! <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img27/4892/m7ul.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img690/4428/4bue.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img19/5748/lx60.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img90/9828/pl0b.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

I think it's about time that I get some recognition for my exemplary driving skills. I haven't creamed a pedestrian in MONTHS!! The National Safety Council finally rewarded me with this medal! It reads "National Safety Council // 1 Year // Safe Driver Award // Green Cross for Safety". I also found a chauffeur's license from 1940 to add to the collection (1938, 1943 (2), 1949, and 1950). <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img844/669/57ri.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

I pass up most of the iron, but I have started a bin of still-usefull hardware that I'll eventually sell or give away to other rustica lovers, hah. Or, maybe donate to the Re-Store (architectural salvage yard that benefits Habitat for Humanity (for the non-US folk)). <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img17/4029/xk5y.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

I found a few other lock & keys, too:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img545/2044/wp6a.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

and a couple of Mexican coins; a 1926 large 2 centavos and a 1937 5 centavos:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img600/7278/tkbh.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img35/7645/8az7.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

As y'all know, I'm a man of my word. So, when I say 'no more gol' dang bottles in this house', I mean business! Here's the proof!
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img27/540/vckm.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img191/1962/rrbu.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

I managed one mangled silver ring:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img12/718/mndo.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

I have to make myself take a break and notice the beautiful surroundings and wildlife, then it's on with the hunt!
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img854/9392/2k64.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Welll, you should have seen them before I worked on them, heh. Also, a 1920s 'Dog's Head Guinness' / 'Dog's Head Bass' bottle opener:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img16/9655/n1j6.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img821/9681/xpap.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Snagged a few tokes:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img191/7015/pvte.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img90/2590/k9s.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

A few oddities, and the buckles and buttons:
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img90/5175/bvrg.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img163/1301/mny9.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

I even find a coin now and then! Merc is 1941 D & the nick is a 1948
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img856/1149/7t50.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img5/8122/wo2p.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Found a few lead/copper printer's plates; the little Lucky Strike one is my favorite. The others are a Sinclair gasoline ad and an illustration of 3 Victorian women, one appears to be holding an early photo.
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img823/3817/e5lw.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img607/9417/0sss.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

The little creek is just a little bubbling brook until the afternoon monsoon hits, and then...
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img194/6295/4n6j.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img823/9412/wuh6.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

But, our intrepid explorer has been braving several INCHES of treacherous water to get the hang of water detecting! Here's an interesting 90 degree bend (it hits the stone cliff and turns left). Unfortunately, the area at the base of the cliff is 5' - 6' deep, so I think I'm going to order some Amphibs this week. Heck, the ATG is back at Garrett again - snapped off the shaft, sigh. I'm pretty sure that they have one of those countdown clocks in the office, labeled "Days until William's warranty expires". Also shown is my stainless scoop and classifier. I got two 5 gal. buckets, one with the bottom cut out, so in spots where I don't need to schlep the gravel around, I just lift it up and go. And, my $7 thrift shop water sandals. They are EXCELLENT at allowing sharp rocks and gravel in and trapping them for maximum discomfort. Truly a great educational experience!!
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img819/5808/ckj6.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img208/6206/q124.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Here's a little brass bell that's been through the 'ringer', but still sounds sweet. Below it is a mystery pin and to the left is another Colonial looking bangle from a bracelet or necklace. Hunting is a little slower with all the greenery, especially as I'm swinging the AT Pro with the large coil at the moment. It has produced a few nice finds in hunted out spots, though. I think the two coils compliment each other.
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img208/1772/dgjb.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img694/8932/2fmw.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Got a few military buttons- The silver one is WWII era Air Force (my first), another small great Seal cuff button, and the other says "U.S. Naval Reserve" // Honorable Discharge. Cool. The second photo has a toasted aluminum piece that reads "God Bless Our Home" // "Mr. & Mrs. Carl Ratliff" and has a flag on either side and an Eagle at the top. Also shown are some Indian Wars era cartridges and a mystery solved-- I'd been finding those flat brass items, but didn't realize what they were until I saw them ID'd as 5 round clips. <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img832/28/5r3s.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img28/3280/qlha.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Say no more!! Wink, wink, nudge, nudge
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img199/6267/3cs.JPG" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img821/5735/h2hu.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Here are some last hunt finds. The hosed aluminum token at top left was a 'Woodmen of the World" one (just made it out). There's also a Chinese coin, a pretty sweet tiny swirl marble, and an interesting military tag.
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img703/5528/9ny9.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img694/3203/xgbs.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

More last minute finds, including a 3 Merry Widows condom tin, this one without their names along the bottom. The second photo shows a hillside along the railroad grade that has produced some interesting finds.
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img824/4311/dr7e.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img11/426/n873.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Two early Boy Scout buttons with the motto "Be Prepared" at the bottom and a patent date of 1911. I also now have the "Key to Command". I will do my best to use this power just as responsibly as any Wall Street financier would, to create astounding wealth for myself. and on that note, I'll ride off into the sunset. Adios for now, Amigos!
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img841/1851/xyan.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/> <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img94/7690/jwp8.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>





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[mudpuppy]

Dude! You could open a museum or better yet a Cracker Barrel with all that old rusticallity hanging off the walls! My favorite find is that Lucky Strike printers plate....Whats it doing way out there? What a great location and awesome post, the nature shots you always put in really give us readers a sense of the hunt.
Bottles galore! Man!
Mud

 

[ajaj]

Really, really nice! Here in the east, we have a lot of colonial and nineteeth century relics; we rarely get cowboy stuff.

aj

 

[William-NM]

Mud: Thanks! Yeah; Lucky Strikes "It's Toasted" Straight out of MadMen!
AJ: Yep, I envy you the beautiful early coins and Colonial / CW finds, but there are compensations. and Coronado did cross the Gila river north of here in the 1500s- the Spanish were always looking for Cibola, the city of gold. Now, if I can just find where he dropped his wallet!

Trivia: the Indians liked to have some fun with the Spaniards. "Oh, sure-- there's a giant city full of that gold metal. Just go north for about 3 weeks and turn left for a month!"

 

[lrsjr]

Really enjoyed looking at your finds, I know you had fun! Those printers plates should be in reverse to print correctly but what else could they be?

 

[BigCatDaddy]

That's a lot of diggin' pilgrim!! Thanx for the most excellent tour of all your found goodies!! I had a large glass of OJ this morning while I read your post, both were most enjoyable!! And BTW, I think you have enough room for at least a couple more bottles. And check out NRS for some good water boots, those things you're wearing are not too bueno!! Gotta protect those feet!!

 

[laserfeller]

The 4 items under the harmonica reeds are musical reeds that are found in accordions and sometimes in concertinas.

 

[William-NM]

lrsjr: I reversed the print plates so they're easier to read.
BCD: Thanks! I'll check out the NRS's
laserfeller: Thank you for the info!

 

[Roscue2]

You have some great finds as usual! From the picture, it looks like you sift through the creek. Any luck with finds? Thanks. HH

 

[bob.oz]

Always a pleasure to read and view your posts.....they are really a fun read.Sounds like Tigger didn't get out on this one. HH

 

[TheGeorgiaCanuck]

Thats a great haul! Btw the colonial looking bangle is a bellydancer coin.

 

[William-NM]

Roscue: Thanks! I'm just getting into water hunting - I've pulled a few coins out of the creek so far. A couple were toasted - one was likely a steel war penny, not sure about the other. Most of the rest were fairly modern. The creek is really packed with iron, large and small, so it's a challenge. There are a few spots on the Gila and Mimbres rivers that I hope to get to at some point.

Bob: Thank You! No, the lazy Tigger has been hanging around the hacienda. He's currently training a couple of new neighbor dogs. Their noses shoulld heal up before too long, heh.

 

[upnorth]

That was honestly one of the most interesting posts that I have seen in a long time ! Really facinating, thanks.

 

[John-Edmonton]

You have enough good nectar - area to keep you busy daily for the next hundred years! Would't it be cool to have an AT Forum hunt there. Imagine all the juice that could come out of the ground. Thanks for a great post with awesome pics!

 

[61chip]

William, thanks for a great tour of the wild, wild, west! Congrats on all the great finds! I always look forward to your posts. Keep them coming!

 

[William-NM]

I replied to this yesterday, guess it went astray!

Stinkfoot: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

John: That would be a blast! I haven't even made a dent in the creek yet, and a friend just gave me permission to hunt 12 more acres of the original Chinese Gardens - they'll be doing organic gardens. She also has 9 acres near old fort Bayard which I can hunt, but have to work within her busy schedule to find a time for her to show me the property lines. She and hubby also own a historic home in Silver City, as well as a former hotel/brothel in Santa Clara, which used to be named Central. It was once bigger than Silver City and was the county seat. More interestingly, it was a frequent haunt of the soldiers stationed at Ft. Bayard. Trivia: they were a "Negro" regiment, named "Buffalo Soldiers" by the Indians, due to their curly brown hair and / or dark skin.

Chip: Thanks. will do!

 

[togamac]

Love the post William particularly the pics of the area you're hunting in. It's giving me some ideas. There was a swanky hotel nearby that was built in 1895 and burned down 5 years later. In the front of it was a dammed stream; parts of the hotel foundation and the remains of the dam can still be seen. I've detected around the foundation but gave up because of all the scrap in the ground. However, I envision the hotel guests sitting around smoking their cigars, drinking their mai-tais, and making wishes with their sweethearts by tossing coins in the little pond that formed behind the dam. I've tried detecting for awhile in the stream bed but came up empty. If there's anything there it would be under 113 years of silt. I think I'll try my luck with a sifter and shovel.

So many sites to hunt; so little time!

 

[senda]

Hi William, as always a great post. Very enjoyable to read and very nice pics of their stuff, as always of course.
Although not 100% understand, these stories are very interesting, just read "Silver City" makes my hair stand on end ...

Thanks for sharing
regards
pathway/senda

 

[fongu]

Looks like you had a great time detecting this area. No telling what's waiting on you to find next. Enjoyed this post very much. I planned to hit an old church around first light this morning, but Mama was too sick to leave by herself. Maybe tomorrow will be my day to find something good. In regards to the post about the old hotel, I hunted a hotel that had burned in the late 1930's and been rebuilt and then demolished for a college and the iron was terrible. I used the 2500 and got a lot of signals that I thought were good, but only found 1 mercury dime. If I had the At/Pro then, I might have found something more, but they are laying the foundations for the college and it's fence in now. I believe the At/Pro would have found those good targets amongst the iron and trash targets. Looking forward to your next post. HH

 

[William-NM]

Togamac: Yeah, just think about all the stuff that went missing in those old hotel fires. Creeks and other bodies of water are interesting things, too - they carry stuff away and bury it, then reveal it again at some arbitrary date in the future.

Senda: Buenos dios, amigo! Thanks for the encouragement! I have to take some out time this week to build a web site. I gave it up few years ago, but an old client referred someone, and in a weak moment (and after quoting "too much money" ), I agreed. I regret it now, of course, but I have to maintain Tigger's lavish lifestyle somehow...
Via con Dios (and extra batteries)!
William