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View Full Version : Group hunt in Mass - 11/15



Trooper Bri
11-19-2015, 10:50 PM
Our friend Jim in Sturbridge is on a permission roll this summer. He was hunting public land and got approached by a private land owner who was worried Jim was trespassing. He wasn't, and after talking to the guy, found out the owner thought that there had been a British encampment on one of his other properties.

So Jim invited a group of us to detect along with a couple of the property owners sons to see if there was an encampment. Dan was on the list for this hunt, but he had to work and was sorely missed! We were wondering what would happen if him and Howard Hewitt were to discuss history. We suspect a wormhole would get created to the past. ;)
51533

What we were introduced to was active cattle fields on a slope. The high flat ground across the street was occupied by a modern cemetery, and if there was an encampment, it was probably there. It definitely was not where we were.
But, we did OK at the cattle fields, and even better at Jim's backup permission at a farm field 1/2 mile up the road. Howard got started with an early saddle shield.
51534

The spot coughed up a variety of finds, especially where the main field was gated to the next. I got a nice silver washed or gilt button, and our friend Rich got a fantastic 1857 Flying Eagle cent. It was amazingly clean, and he gave it to the land owner before we left. I'll have to find a pic of it.
We eventually moved on to Spot #2 to since it was obvious the British weren't on that patch of New England.

Spot #2 was about 5 or 6 acres of hay fields between farm houses. It did OK with the 2'nd half of the day. I managed 2 coppers for sure. 1803 Draped Bust, and undated Braided. I'm calling the 3'rd a coin. It's badly worn and thick as a button, but still giving a 63 VDI.
51535

My other notable find from that field was my 1'st coin silver spoon. Badly mangled, but Howard was close by and spotted it for what it was right away. There was a monogram on the handle as well. I'm having a hard time nailing down a real date from the maker's mark.
51536

51537

The find of the day came from Rich again. There was a high, flat spot in these fields that coughed up 2 of my coppers and other good finds. The mid 40's tone on his AT Pro coughed up an 18 karat gold thimble. It's monogrammed as well, not visible in this pic. Carter Gough and Co. Newark NJ.
1841-1850 from the maker's mark. It came out of the ground the same shape it went in. Amazing!
51538

The sun setting at 4:45 kept us from the place longer, and we never touched the 15 acre field at Jim's disposal. The spot we were on still has goodies in it for next year.
51539

Digger_O'Dell
11-20-2015, 02:18 AM
Those are some great finds! I wonder about the real date on the flying eagle cent as they were only minted between 1856-58. If it was actually dated 1861, then I'm sure it would have been an unauthorized coin, which wasn't unheard of in those days. But if that's the case, then you gave away a coin that could possibly fetch 6 to 7 figures!

As for the hallmarks, they read E.E & S.C. Bailey. Ebenezer Eaton Bailey and partner Samuel Chase Bailey, 1825-1862.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~silversmiths/makers/silversmiths/56777.htm

Hope this helps!

del
11-20-2015, 02:23 AM
looks like your guy who made your spoon Brian ...
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~silversmiths/makers/silversmiths/56769.htm












(http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~silversmiths/makers/silversmiths/56769.htm)

del
11-20-2015, 02:25 AM
DOD you "night owl" you beat me to it :lol: nice id !!

Rich's thimble in most of the pictures looked like silver (maybe i'm just use to HEAVYMETALNUT's very yellow looking pictures) , i just realized it was solid gold yesterday :shocked05:, that man has some luck !!

Digger_O'Dell
11-20-2015, 03:25 AM
DOD you "night owl" you beat me to it :lol: nice id !!...!!

Thanks Del, needed something to do at work tonight! :lol: Now just need to answer the question of the flying eagle date

del
11-20-2015, 04:20 AM
Thanks Del, needed something to do at work tonight! :lol: Now just need to answer the question of the flying eagle date

I hear you work was slow here tonight too !! :lol: I believe it was an 1857 DOD , i did see a picture of it somewhere

RIdirtdigger
11-20-2015, 04:57 AM
Nice finds. A lot of nice relics uncovered. What's with everyone up so early? Lol

aloldstuff
11-20-2015, 06:11 AM
Some very nice finds there Brian. A Gold thimble.....WOW. Never seen a silver one in any hole I've dug much less a GOLD one. :congrats:on all your keepers and what a shame the cemetery was where it was.

Digger_O'Dell
11-20-2015, 06:16 AM
Nice finds. A lot of nice relics uncovered. What's with everyone up so early? Lol

Not early, I work nights-12 hour shifts, usually 7 days a week. :shocked01:

Bucknut
11-20-2015, 09:26 AM
Lots of great finds! That gold thimble is amazing! Never seen anything like it.

Cheap Thrills
11-20-2015, 10:30 AM
Some very nice finds there Brian. A Gold thimble.....WOW. Never seen a silver one in any hole I've dug much less a GOLD one. :congrats:on all your keepers and what a shame the cemetery was where it was.



My experiences and sentiments also .All my thimbles ( 3) were crushed , split or not complete .

Nice going on your finds Brian .:congrats:

Trooper Bri
11-20-2015, 11:13 AM
The Flying Eagle was 1857, my bad.
Thanks for the link on the spoon. Bailey was coming up, just not with the maker's mark I had.

OxShoeDrew
11-20-2015, 06:30 PM
Very nice finds Brian! I've yet to find a coin silver piece. Rich's thimble is ridiculous :drool:
Congrats!!

chief5709
11-23-2015, 06:33 AM
What a group! congrats on a great day of hunting.

owena1
12-07-2015, 10:45 PM
Our friend Jim in Sturbridge is on a permission roll this summer. He was hunting public land and got approached by a private land owner who was worried Jim was trespassing. He wasn't, and after talking to the guy, found out the owner thought that there had been a British encampment on one of his other properties.

So Jim invited a group of us to detect along with a couple of the property owners sons to see if there was an encampment. Dan was on the list for this hunt, but he had to work and was sorely missed! We were wondering what would happen if him and Howard Hewitt were to discuss history. We suspect a wormhole would get created to the past. ;)
51533

What we were introduced to was active cattle fields on a slope. The high flat ground across the street was occupied by a modern cemetery, and if there was an encampment, it was probably there. It definitely was not where we were.
But, we did OK at the cattle fields, and even better at Jim's backup permission at a farm field 1/2 mile up the road. Howard got started with an early saddle shield.
51534

The spot coughed up a variety of finds, especially where the main field was gated to the next. I got a nice silver washed or gilt button, and our friend Rich got a fantastic 1857 Flying Eagle cent. It was amazingly clean, and he gave it to the land owner before we left. I'll have to find a pic of it.
We eventually moved on to Spot #2 to since it was obvious the British weren't on that patch of New England.

Spot #2 was about 5 or 6 acres of hay fields between farm houses. It did OK with the 2'nd half of the day. I managed 2 coppers for sure. 1803 Draped Bust, and undated Braided. I'm calling the 3'rd a coin. It's badly worn and thick as a button, but still giving a 63 VDI.
51535

My other notable find from that field was my 1'st coin silver spoon. Badly mangled, but Howard was close by and spotted it for what it was right away. There was a monogram on the handle as well. I'm having a hard time nailing down a real date from the maker's mark.
51536

51537

The find of the day came from Rich again. There was a high, flat spot in these fields that coughed up 2 of my coppers and other good finds. The mid 40's tone on his AT Pro coughed up an 18 karat gold thimble. It's monogrammed as well, not visible in this pic. Carter Gough and Co. Newark NJ.
1841-1850 from the maker's mark. It came out of the ground the same shape it went in. Amazing!
51538

The sun setting at 4:45 kept us from the place longer, and we never touched the 15 acre field at Jim's disposal. The spot we were on still has goodies in it for next year.
51539

Was scrolling down my feed and saw this. Awesome finds! Stealth diggahs


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