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Volume 3, Issue 3 May - June 2012
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Whats Inside
Check out all the great finds throughout this issue!
Page The Train 8 Joe Brown Pikes 11 CTX 3030 19 Roman Rings 20 Recent Finds 23 WIN an XTERRA 28 Club News 54
New York State Civil War Button
The Train
I
ll never forget that bayonet. In the South Carolina Low Country, iron relics in a Civil War camp, are well, gone. When I say gone, I mean that they are rusted to the point of only being a blob of rust, with little iron or steel left of the original object. The bayonet that I had just been handed was dug by my digging partner, at a site I had never heard of. And while I fondled that relic of my desire, I didnt really care where it came from. All I knew was that I wanted to find my own! I begged to go to this spot of my friends. He agreed to take me, as his brother didnt want to go with him, because this place was hunted out. Hunted out. I think that is my favorite sentence in the whole English language. Even in 1981, and as is today, the term hunted out to me might as well be the site is loaded with relics! Time after time I have been taken to these sites where all
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byRobert E. Bohrn
the relics have supposedly been gleaned from the soil by countless relic hunters with the best metal detectors available to man. Patience, and years of detecting experience have helped me dig thousands of nice relics from those, old, worn out sites, that are supposed to be relic free. So, the opportunity to dig my own Civil War bayonet, which my collection was lacking, was a tempting dig for me. We went the following week-end to this spot from whence the bayonet came. But this was no campsite, but a middle of nowhere spot where I was told a Confederate Train, in the waning days of the War, was captured and burned by Union troops. The site was a still in use earthen train trestle with track that was a steep hillside that was supposedly sitting atop the old train line, and the burned Confederate train. We descended the hillside, detectors and shovels in hand and headed for the spot where that bayonet was found. Reaching the spot, I saw a large, filled
in fresh dig hole, where the relic of my desire was found. I was told by my digging partner that this was a spot where you just started a test hole, and then stuck the head of the detector in the hole to see if there was metal there. Huh? I said. I couldnt believe this was happening. I thought we would just detect that hillside, and find relics that way. Nope. You got to dig a hole first, we will dig the first one together was my partners response. I was pretty pessimistic about all of this as we started that first hole. This was not my idea of relic hunting. But, shovels in hand, we began to dig a hole into the side of that trestle slope. After we had dug down a few feet, my bud grabbed his detector, turned it on, and stuck the coil into our freshly dug hole. As I watched, I really was ready to fill this hole in, and head home. But, as he lowered the coil deep
into the ground, even I could hear the blasting signal coming from his detectors headphones. I said, that better be a bayonet in jest. He then dove head first into the hole, and began to dig by hand. I could hear his muttering about it not being a bayonet but something different. I figured the object he was pulling out to be a piece of 1860s trash. Then he emerged from our hole holding a relic I had only seen and read about in books. He was holding a Confederate Georgia Pike! My words were plain to the point. I said there better be another one of those in the hole for me!
In 1862, Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown ordered 10,000 pikes be made to arm his troops when no firearms were available.
t the outbreak of the Civil War the new Confederate government had no standing army, few arms, and no artisans or factories to supply them. To meet the urgent demand to arm the thousands of volunteers coming into service, even the old-fashioned squirrel rifles and double barreled shotguns in the hands of civilians were requisitioned into service. However, something more had to be done to meet the increasing arms demand. As Commander-in-Chief of the Georgia Militia, Governor Joseph E. Brown took emergency action to arm his troops. He put the shops in the State to work making what came to be known as Joe Browns Pikes. In his book Reminiscences of the Civil War, General John B. Gordon described the pike as a sort of rude bayonet, or steel lance, fastened, not to guns, but to long poles or handles, and were given to men who had no other arms.1 On February 20th, 1862, Governor Brown issued an executive letter addressed to the Mechanics of Georgia with a patriotic appeal to the artisans of the State (e.g., machine shops and blacksmiths) to make ten thousand Georgia pikes with a six foot staff, and an accompanying side knife with eighteen inch blade, weighing about three pounds.2 Governor Brown also instructed in his letter how the pike and side knife were to
Relic Hunter May - June 2012 11
be used. He explained his tactics for his pikemen as follows: Let every army have a large reserve, armed with a good pike, and a long heavy side knife, to be brought upon the field, with a shout for victory, or when the time comes for a charge with bayonets. Governor Brown went on to explain: When the advancing columns come within reach of the balls, let them [the pikemen] move in double quick time and rush with terrible impetuosity into the lines of the enemy.3 Confident in the superiority of his pike and side knife over the ordinary bayonet, Governor Brown continued: Hand to hand, the pike has vastly the advantage of the bayonet, and those having the bayonet, which is itself but a crooked pike, with shorter staff, must retreat before it.4 In order to follow up on the success of his pikemen over a routed enemy, Governor Brown goes on to explain: When the retreat commences, let the pursuit be rapid, and if the enemy throw down their guns and are likely to outrun us, if need be, throw down the pike and keep close at their heels with the knife, till each man has hewed down, at least, one of his adversaries.5
TYPES OF PIKES MADE FOR GEORGIA Reacting to orders from Governor Brown, on March 12, 1862, the Chief of Ordnance, Major Lachlan H. McIntosh described the pattern for the pike to be manufactured for the State of Georgia in a letter to potential contractors. The specifications were that the heads of the pikes to be made of steel, well tempered; the staff to be of ash, white oak, or hickory, well seasoned--to be straight stuff, not crossgrained. For every pike, that passes inspection, we will pay five dollars. In addition, pike pattern samples were furnished to interested contractors by the State Arsenal and Armory at Milledgeville.6 Eager to help out with the war effort, contractors all around Georgia began to make pikes and knives. In addition, the Georgia State Armory at Milledgeville, using convict labor, also began making pikes and other type weapons as well. From March 18 to September 16, 1862, 7099 pikes were received into the State Arsenal.7 The pikes for the State of Georgia were of two patterns. The first was the cloverleaf pattern, distinctive because of its three blades, when viewed together, resembled a common clover leaf. The main blade was ten inches long with two leaf-shaped
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side blades (used as bridle cutters) and a six foot staff. The second pattern was a retractable blade pike which was spring loaded and when triggered, a sword like blade was released with great force and speared an enemy. Ironically, this fearsome impaling pike was invented by a man of peace, a Reverend Doctor Graves, a Methodist minister originally from Vermont, who during the Civil War was living in Georgia.8 However, based on the surviving retractable blade pikes available today on display in museums, it is doubtful that the pike ever functioned as designed. Those pikes do not have the strong springs installed. In fact, in 1862, government armories could barely make a serviceable spring of less than a inch much less the two foot long springs required to make the retractable blade pike function properly. The retractable blade pikes are believed to have been manufactured at Macon or Chattanooga.9 It is not known exactly how many pikes and side knives were manufactured in Georgia. However, when the Georgia State Arsenal and Armory at Milledgeville was captured on November 22, 1864, the Federal 3rd Wisconsin Mounted Infantry (Wilsons Raiders) reported burning among other supplies, some 5,000 pikes.l0
MANUFACTURING JOE BROWN PIKES As previously mentioned contractors were making pikes and knives all over Georgia. For every pike that passed inspection at the State arsenal, the contractor was paid five dollars. For a knife, with scabbard tipped, belt and clasp, they were paid four dollars and sixty cents.11 That was good money for such items in those days. For example, abolitionist John Brown purchased pikes to arm his liberated slaves for his raid on Harpers Ferry for one dollar and twenty-five cents each, which he thought was much too expensive.12 When no firearms were available to defend Savannah, a Major Brown of Habersham County offered to raise a battalion of troops armed with pikes to go to defend the Georgia coast. He told Governor Brown he would have the pikes made if he would pay for them. Governor Brown agreed. So, Major Brown contracted with Mr. E. P. Williams of White County to make his pikes. The pattern of pike provided to Williams is not known, but Governor Brown later described Williams, as a citizen of high character, although his pikes were of a different and inferior pattern. As justification for paying for them anyway, Governor Brown said the pikes did not cost quite as much.13
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through Athens. Mr. Lewis J. Lumpkin, proprietor of the Lumpkin House, gave the company a warm and substantial breakfast, free of charge. The pikes are in the shape of a cross with six edges upon the end of a wooden staff. They are intimidating weapons, and in the hands of brave men, as they are, will do good execution.16 Although, in the end, Major Brown failed to raise an entire battalion, the one company of pikemen who went from the hills of Habersham County to the defense of the coast in February of 1862 was said to be a favorite of Colonel William H. T. Walker, the commander of the Savannah Brigade. Governor Joe Brown Under Fire Although the soldiers from Habersham County seemed content to parade with their pikes, the practice of being armed with an ancient style spear was not always accepted by those being issued the weapons. For example, at Big Shanty (Kennesaw), where the Andrews Raiders stole the Confederate supply train and locomotive General, the soldiers on guard at Camp McDonald (next to the railroad station) were armed with pikes. Henry Whitley, assigned to Company F, 56th Georgia Infantry, on guard duty at the station at the time of the raid complained that he was powerless to do anything because he and the other soldiers were only armed with pikes.17 Knowing they would shortly be sent to the front in Virginia, Confederate conscript units were bitterly opposed to
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purchased 7,099 pikes. At the request of President Davis, he had issued 1,229 pikes to the Confederate army for use in the west. Therefore, as of December 8, 1862, there were still in State arsenals 5,870 pikes ready for issue at the direction of the General Assembly.20 Where to See A Joe Brown Pike Today As far as is known, no Joe Brown Pike was ever actually tested in battle against a northern soldier. However, there are surviving relics in museums, labeled Joe Brown Pikes intended to honor, not mock, the memory of their most fervid advocate, Governor Joe Brown of Georgia. Museums and weapons collectors alike proudly display the pikes not only as a curiosity of war, but because they always attract the interest of visitors. If you want to see an authentic Joe Brown Pike, there are a few clover-leaf and retractable blade pikes displayed in Georgia museums. For example, the Atlanta History Center has a rusty head of a clover-leaf pike in its Civil War exhibit. Also, at the Visitors Center at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, there is a head (no staff attached) of a clover-leaf pattern Joe Brown Pike. If you want to see a retractable-blade pattern of the Joe Brown Pike, there is one in mint condition on display at the Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum at Washington, Georgia. In addition, several Georgia pattern pikes and a bridle cutter pike made at the Augusta Arsenal for the Confederate government are also
ENDNOTES 1. General John B. Gordon, Reminiscences of the Civil War (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1903), 5. 2. Allen D. Candler, The Confederate Records of the State of Georgia, Vol II (Atlanta, GA: Charles P. Byrd, State Printer, 1909), 199. 3. Ibid., 199-200. 4. Ibid., 200. 5. Ibid. 6. Candler, Confederate Records, 350. 7. Ibid., 353.
Relic Hunter May - June 2012
on display there. It should be noted that Georgia pattern pikes were not made by or for the State of Georgia, but were made for the Confederate army. Therefore, the Georgia pattern pike is not a Joe Brown Pike. Perhaps the best exhibit of Joe Brown Pikes is at the Augusta-Richmond County Museum at Augusta, Georgia. There are well preserved clover-leaf, retractable blade, Georgia, and bridle cutting pattern pikes on display. It should be pointed out that, as with any artifact, there are counterfeit or reproductions of the pikes in circulation. It is difficult to know for sure if a pike is authentic, but that uncertainty is now part of their mystic as an oddity of the Civil War. The Georgia National Guard is planning to open a museum in the future to display artifacts of its history. A Georgia pattern pike will be included in the exhibit as a tribute to Governor Joe Browns determination, in the face of not having firearms to issue to his troops. He stood his ground, ready to fight with only pikes, if necessary, to drive back the enemy with southern cold steel at close quarters.
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8. Rodney Hilton Brown, American Polearms, 1526-1865 (New Milford, CN: N. Flayderman & Co., Inc., 1967), 137. 9. Ibid., 127. 10. Ibid., 120. 11. Candler, Confederate Records, 350. 12. Brown, American Polearms, 87. 13. Ibid., 346. 14. Ibid., 353. 15. The Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia), 12 February 1862. 16. The Southern Banner (Athens, Georgia), 12 February 1862. 17. Brown, American Polearms, 123. 18. Ibid., 134. 19. Patricia L. Faust, ed. Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986), Joe Brown Pikes. 20. Candler, Confederate Records, 344-353.
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Roman Rings
A Horde Of
By Sammy Jane Nye
I went in a club dig a few weeks ago, the day started out cold and miserable as it often does and I didnt really have much hope of finding anything. By the end of the morning, I had found a thimble and a nice bag seal. I was very happy with these. Then, I got a mixed signal, which means there is some thing there but near a iron target too. I began to dig the signal. It became a very deep hole and it was this time my partner asked Are you digging for England? A couple of members came over to show me what they had found. I left my signal for a little while to look at their finds. I asked a member to go over my dig and see if he could pick up anything. I got my probe and checked in the hole. I moved the dirt around and pulled out a Roman Ring. I was a complete Roman Ring!! I was ecstatic, so I checked the hole again. There were two more rings in the same dig hole. Next I checked the soil around the hole and couldnt believe that I found a fourth ring in the loose dirt. I had just found a hoard of Roman rings. These were dating from 1st through the 3rd century.
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By this time a lot of members had gathered around me and were looking at the fabulous rings. By this time, the sun beginning to set and I just couldnt believe how this day had ended. As you can tell, I was totally over whelmed and just very extremely excited. Ive only been detecting for approximately 6 months. I used a Whites XLT Spectrum in this ploughed field in Lincolnshire. Whenever I get a mixed signal, I know the tone and there is something there, but its near iron. I was right and became so excited when I discovered these rings. Finding this horde of Roman Rings has changed my life for the better. I am getting known all over the world, even in places I will never be able to visit in this lifetime. The F.L.O was very excited by this find because the owners were from a high stated class. This is evident with enamel still left on one of the rings. The historian said that the rings were between 1st / 3rd century. However, good news, the rings will NOT be going through the Treasure Act
and I will be getting them back. My plans are to provide them to the local museum, on loan of course, near to where they were originally found. My determination, patience, and excitement for this hobby is known by a lot of other detectorists. Through this great hobby, I get contacted from all over the world. I am known even in California, a place I could only ever dream of going. I hope that one day I will be able to identify everybodys finds for them. This will happen when I get my degree at the University next year and become an archaeologist, I cant wait. Cheers!
Relic Hunter May - June 2012 21
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Success Stories
(Above) This rare Georgia state seal oval waist belt buckle from the Civil War was dug by Chris R. of Pell City, AL. He was using a Garrett Infinium LS when he made this great find.
(Above) These are the Civil War digs of Michael B. from Charlotte, NC for Day 1 of Diggin In Virginia XXI, which was held in Culpeper County, VA, in March 2012. Michael used both the Garrett Infinium LS and AT Pro during the day as he made these recoveries.
Begin your ONLINE TRAINING today with instructional and From the Field Videos.
To find the nearest Garrett dealer call or visit garrett.com
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800.527.4011 (U.S. and CANADA) (INTERNATIONAL) Relic Hunter May - June 1.972.494.6151 2012
GarrettDetectors Channel
Recent Finds
As featured in the Garrett advertisement, to the left, here is the extremely rare Georgia Civil War buckle, only minutes from being unearthed. Fantastic find Chris !!
Terje Olsen, Norway Lead weight from Viking Age! Was found in Norway :)
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Recent Finds
Evan Granger, Oklahoma, USA Went back to the yard from the day before and recovered another cool find. This time a Confederate Reunion Badge.
John D. Chapman, USA Indian Head pennies.....1900, 1903, and what appears to be 1888. These were dug from an old barn floor.
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Jack Nash, UK A lead seal and a Roman coin found with my Deus
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Recent Finds
Kelley Rea & Ina Finn, Virginia, USA Went out detecting today with my friend Ina Finn. Both of us found a Virginia State Seal Cuff Button!
Kenneth W Briggs, USA I found the ring at Irvine Park when I was hunting with my Nephew today and the other coins and cover were found in the outer parking lot of Northern Wisconsin State Fair.
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Chris Oconnor, USA New Detector, a Safari by Minelab. Found my first find, a 2 Cent Piece. Unfortunately its too pitted to see the date. Found in Ulster County, N.Y.
Richard Bingham, USA Ive posted this at other sites hoping someone may know something about this fob..Its brass and its old..
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Recent Finds
Brian Harvey, USA Last Fridays digs in Central Va. A few little small goodies.....
Kevin Stone, Oklahoma, USA Several hours of hunting and one 1900 Indian Head and a buckle made in Mexico but its plated
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David Bryan, Georgia, USA Found this past Monday, south of Dalton, Georgia
Evan Granger, Durant, Oklahoma, USA I am going to add an old metal picture that I found along with the shell casing.. It appears to be a man in military dress with a tie.. but not sure..
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Recent Finds
Radu Apreutesei, Romania Badge was discovered on April 20, 2011. This badge was made in 1977 to commemorate 100 years of the war for independence (1877-1977)
Brian Ratcliffe, USA Didnt find much today. One of these Sharps has been cut in half. I think its pretty cool.
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Radu Apreutesei, Romania On April 20th I found this beautiful badge that belonged to a volunteer who was part of the Voluntary Association for the Support of Homeland Defense, a young civil army in 1952. Its a Paramilitary type organization, which could turn on a voluntary basis, any citizen of the RPR who turn age 16. The Association was formed after the model of union Voluntary Association for Supporting Army, Aviation and FleetDOSAAF of the USSR. All Association members were trained to become qualified specialists in agriculture and industry, but to be ready at any time up arms to defend the Peoples Republic.
Frank Cantena, USA Found these this morning before the rain got to bad! (Look closely, thats an 1812 artillery coat button!!)
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Recent Finds
Mike Hannah, USA I have found a lot of great things in the last five years here S.E. Idaho. I have two that stick out for the best. The first one is a sword belt buckle plate, below, which is kinda common back east but out west a little harder to find. And second is this police badge from Blackfoot Idaho, that was there first police badge. The 14th infantry, A Company was here between 1868 to1891 to set up the Fort Hall I.R. There was lot of activity during the 1877 Bannock War.
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Evan Granger, Oklahoma, USA 1914 D Penny. The chart below tells the story. I still cant believe that one lil ole penny is worth that much.. even half of that is awesome. So far there are 26 bids on Ebay!!
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Recent Finds
Andrew Butler, Australia Ok. Its not what I usually go after, but I walked into these 60 odd bottles in the bush suburb of Parkerville, Perth, Western Australia. They were 1950`s to 1970`s.
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Curtis Massey, USA Its a pewter coat button from the 74th regiment of the British in the Revolutionary War.
Alabama state seal map on Georgia Militia stamped tree solid cast brass sword brass oval cartridge boxbelt plate.* plate, found in Savannah by R. S. Durham.*
Georgia state seal, cast twopart belt plate with oak leaf wreath.*
Louisiana two-part state seal belt plate, sand cast local manufacture.*
Louisiana pelican belt plate, stamped brass, solder filled, from west Tennessee. Courtesy of Charlie Harris.
Maryland stamped brass state seal, oval cartridge box, found in Fredericksburg.*
Maryland state seal sword belt plate, used by Maryland militia units.*
All images on this page courtesy of Larry Cissna and The Treasure Depot (unless otherwise noted).
Georgia. Courtesy of Confederatenear Dalton, Confederate Charles General Harris. Service Staff found by Gary Koger
Mississippi oval belt plate, stamped brass. Recovered from Mill Creek Gap
Mississippi sword belt plate, solid die cast brass. Recovered in Richmond, Virginia. A minor bend has been straightened.*
Confederate Artillery
Confederate Cavalry
(Left) Confederate block Infantry button and (center) cast brass CS block I button, both from Lookout Mountain. Courtesy of Charlie Harris.
532 Pages Standard 5.5 x 8.5 size Includes over 1,000 full color images! Soft cover Product No: 1510000 $22.95
From the book: a photo of four Confederate plates dug by a group of Mississippi relic hunters.
Confederate Engineer, script E found in Caney Creek support camp Courtesy of Bobby McKinney
Confederate Rifleman, script R found in Fort Bend County Courtesy of Bobby McKinney
Relic Quest includes full color photo galleries to help relic hunters identify buttons, bullets, belt plates and other relic nds.
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Ask your book dealer for Relic Quest or visit garrett.com to nd your local Garrett dealer. Relic Hunter May - June 2012
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Recent Finds
Bob Harding, USA New Jersey Copper found in an Ohio farm field April 2012 with the Minelab E-trac
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Richie Evp Roberts, Port Talbot, UK British silver coins date from 1800 up to 1967
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Recent Finds
Gene Hrycak, Youngstown, Ohio, USA After at least 20 years out of the hobby I finally bought an older Tesoro Eldorado and tried in my back yard in the all metal mode. Dug a lot of junk but also dug these two wheat pennies. 1944 and a 1956D the 56 was down about 8 inches and the 44 was down about 4 inches. Boy I had a blast and cant wait to get out again....
Evan Granger, Oklahoma, USA Weird story. This is the second one of these that I have found.. The first was in November in the same yard where I found the 1st S.W. Stone I.T. token. It was smashed flat and I couldnt find any info on it. Im curious to why these two rings are around the Indian Territory tokens??? in Durant, Oklahoma.
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www.mtdetectorsales.com
Recent Finds
Sammy Jane Nye, UK Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D.5258. Silver denarius, RIC II 267, RSC II 1334, BMCRE III 715, SRCV II 3540, aMS, Rome mint, 3.32g, 17.4mm, 180, 137 A.D.; obverse HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head right; reverse SALVS AVG, Salus standing right feeding snake coiled around altar; near Mint State, bold, sharp, lustrous, beautiful;
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Steve Olsen, USA Found these old match safes and stamps back in an abandoned house.
Peter Walsh, North Yorkshire, England Silver, 0.88 grams, 13.47 mm. Circa 710-760 AD. Obverse: two diademed heads face-toface with long cross in centre. Reverse: four stylized birds clockwise around a small cross in centre. Reference: M. 296-300; M.p. 351-3; S. 802A.
Relic Hunter May - June 2012 43
Recent Finds
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Recent Finds
Jack Beltane, Australia Took the Garrett AT Pro out to a area that had a dam built in 1866, been a camp ground from then to 1901, from around that time to 1970s was a popular picnic area. Had a HF WW2 station building built next to the nature reserve in 1942, still standing on private ground, so i got a video of it as well here. Found a few relics and a couple coins, nice area to detect, just going to take time to find where the picnic ground area was 40 years ago.
Steve Warren, USA No number stamped on it anywhere. Must have had a small chain attached at one time, since their is a cast connection on the bottom for it.
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Recent Finds
Dan Coolidge, Wisconsin, USA This is 3 hours of digging and found nothing really old. The yard was filled with iron and junk so I am going back with a 5 inch coil. The only reason to go back is because this was area was the county fair grounds in the 1870s.
Rich Justus, New York, USA Got to detect an old church yard from the mid 1800s, found a German 1912 2 Pfennig, a silver quarter, mercury dime, buffalo nickel and an Indian head along with some clad. Still have to clean some to get the dates. I only covered a small section of the lawn. Targets everywhere, just digging the deep hits.
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When an engagement ring goes missing, a local man steps in to help by Edie Gross rantically swinging a rented metal detector left and right, Gina Hanner traversed the grassy shoulder at the entrance to Spotsylvania Countys Holleybrooke subdivision. The device detected bits of foil and metallic trash, but there was no sign of the item Hanner came for. Then it started to snow. And then she slipped and fell. Im completely covered in mud, Hanner I kind of freaked out, said Hanner, who recalled of that miserable March Monday. returned immediately with her husband to Im sure people driving by thought I was search. crazy. Nicks eagle eyes spied her wedding band No crazier than any other woman desnestled in the grass. But the diamond ring perately trying to find her diamond engagehed picked out for her had vanished. ment ring. Hanner returned the next day with the I KIND OF FREAKED OUT rented metal detector, but after several It couldve been anywhere, but Hanner hours of fruitless searching, she returned was pretty sure she was in the right spot. home empty-handed. She and her husband, Nick, who live in I was certain somebody walked past it, Woodbridge, had celebrated a friends birthgrabbed it and took off with it, she said. I day in Spotsylvania two days earlier. cried for three days straight. I was making On their way home late that Saturday myself sick. night, they pulled over at the entrance to She filed a report with the Spotsylvania Holleybrooke so Nick could get out of the Sheriffs Office, and as a last-ditch effort she car and smoke a cigarette. posted a plea on Craigslist. Thats when his wife pulled a lighter out AN ACT OF KINDNESS of her pants pocket--the same pocket where Brian Ratcliffes friend had bought an shed tucked her wedding band and engageinexpensive metal detector to locate buried ment ring earlier that night for safekeeping. property markers on his land. After the break, the couple headed home When Ratcliffe expressed an interest in and it wasnt until the next morning that buying the device, his buddy gave it to him. Hanner realized her rings were gone. The Fredericksburg man immediately found an old silver dime in his backyard.
Relic Hunter May - June 2012
I said, Oh, I want to get into this, recalled Ratcliffe, who dropped $1,200 on a more advanced model. At a friends house in King George County, he located Civil War-era buttons and bullets. At his brothers house, he found an 1896 Barber quarter with a picture of Lady Liberty stamped on it. He joined a metal-detecting forum on Facebook, and in mid-March, one of the other members sent him a message: A woman had posted an ad on Craigslist saying shed lost a ring in Spotsylvania. Did Ratcliffe want to help her out? I said, I grew up right around the corner from there. I know exactly where that is, said Ratcliffe. So he contacted Hanner. Metal detecting on public property is prohibited in many communities, but Ratcliffe explained that if Hanner called the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office and cleared the way for him, hed be happy to drive out to Holleybrooke and look for the missing ring. It was a pure act of kindness, said Hanner. It was just a great, kind outreach-Hey, I have this tool. Why not put it to use? As difficult as the search had been for Hanner, it was a snap for Ratcliffe. It was my first mission, said Ratcliffe. I parked the car, got out, got the detector out and within 15 or 20 minutes had her diamond ring in my hand. Im just happy I got it before they started cutting the grass. The ring was well-hidden, but his detector homed right in on it, he said. Ratcliffe first called Hanner with the good news. Then the father of three, who runs a
Brian Ratcliffe
furniture-refinishing business, took the bauble home to show his fiancee. I said, Dont get mad at me, honey, when I give this to another lady, he said. Meanwhile, Hanner was shrieking with excitement. She left work early, drove to Fredericksburg and gave Ratcliffe a ribcrushing hug. I believe in karma and in doing good things, he said. It was the best feeling in the world to give someone back something they lost. Hanner said shes not taking any more chances with either of her rings. Im going to solder these suckers onto my skin, she said, laughing. Losing her engagement ring was awful, she said, but there was an upside: Her husband of three years felt so bad that shed lost it reaching for his lighter, that he gave up smoking. Hanner said Ratcliffes willingness to help a stranger is something shell never forget. He was one of the nicest people Ive ever met in my life. I actually started crying when I got it back, she said. There really are good people left in the world.
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Mr. Adams contacted Ms. Blankenships son several times over the last few years trying to track down his ring. But it couldnt be foundit was missing, again. This past March, Mr. Adams received a call from Ms. Blankenships daughter. They were cleaning out her mothers house to list it with an agent. While cleaning her mothers sewing room, they found an envelope with the ring and my letterMr. Adams called me that evening. Mr. Adams graduated from Decatur High School in 1957. In the schools tradition, the class camped overnight on Stone Mountain. Part of that outing included swimming in their tuxedos at a rock quarry. That is where Mr. Adams believes he lost his class ring.the same day he graduated.
Mr. Adams was born in Illinois, but his Georgia roots go back hundreds of years. His family is from the Covington area. The Decatur High School Class of 57 is planning their 55th reunion. Sadly, Ms. Blankenship will be missed. Amazingly, Mr. Adams will be attending with his cancer in remission and his class ring that was missing for 55 years. Mr. Adams said, 50 years older and 50 pounds heavier, but it still (snugly) fits.
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YOU ARE THE BACKBONE FOR THIS HOBBY! CLUB LISTINGS ARE ALWAYS FREE!
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MLO is a website that is member supported. It provides a wealth of information, finds and instructional video. MLO TV has great videos, tips and tricks that the Pros use and thousands of people who will share ideas and information with you. MLO is more than a forum, its a Worldwide Club!
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Detecting Clubs
Daytona Dig & Find Metal Detecting Club
Where: When:
1 N. Beach St Ormond Beach, FL 4th Tuesday of the month 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Volusia countys only metal detecting club for over 20 years. Meetings the 4th Tuesday of each month. Two Yearly seeded hunts, Finds of the month, Raffles, Prizes and Detectorists of all ages.
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Contact us at digging4nogood@gmail.com
e are based out of the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. We assist in the recovery of lost items and work with the state in ongoing archaeological projects.
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Individual memberships are $20.00, Family memberships at $30.00 Monthly meetings are held the last Saturday of the month at 9:00 am. Location is subject to change month-to-month. Up-to-date details can be found at our club website: www.onsd.club.officelive.com or contact our club president William Purkey at wwpurkey@aol.com Newsletter/Website Editor Contact: Randy Woolbright Old North State Detectorists randwool@hotmail.com www.onsd.club.officelive.com ONSD-TV YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/user/onsdclub
Relic Hunter May - June 2012
We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at: Gander Mountain. Intersection of I-75 And SR 40 at 6:00 PM
Officers Bill Beardsley, President beardsleytwo@aol.com Mike Sniegowski,Vice President mpsnig@aol.com Carol Seidman, Secretary cseidmank@hotmail.com Roger Ackley, Tresurer. ackleyr@yahoo.com
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Detecting Clubs
Im Bruce Hudson and Ive been hunting and collecting artifacts most of my life around the Kentucky area since 1974. I have been very fortunate to have seen and studied many fine examples. I have many personal finds that have been documented and I still get a adrenaline rush every time Ive made a find. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for news and updates visit us on Facebook.
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Detecting Clubs
Welcome to the Three Seasons Treasure Hunting Club located in the heart of the Indianhead Country. We are located in Chippewa County in West Central Wisconsin. We area family oriented Metal Detecting club. We hold our monthly meetings at 7 pmthe first Thursday of each month at the Ojibwa Golf and Bowl 8140 136th St. Join our Forums and post your finds and ask any questions you may have.
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http://www.threeseasonstreasurehunters.com/
Hi I am Wendell Mosley, Founder of Prospecting U S A We are located in Heflin, Alabama. This clubs goal is to give people a place to find some one near them to go treasure hunting with and to serve as a forum to display what youve found. Viisit our club on Facebook and on the web: http:/prospcetingusa.webs.com and yes prospecting is misspelled. Thanks Wendell email: prospectingusa@gmail.com website: http://www.prospcetingusa.webs.com
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