🔎 UNIDENTIFIED 1800s Montana Hunting Cabin Finds

[historyisdope]

Hi everyone,

I'm glad I found my people. I have a bunch of questions about various pieces I've found in the Bridger range around Bozeman, Montana. If I'm lucky enough to hold your attention by the end of this lengthy post, I'd be extremely grateful to hear any insights you might have on the pictures below. I've spent hours researching and reaching out to online antique publications, but I've always ended up short.

For background, I got permission to metal detect on a private property, and there used to stand an old hunting cabin on part of the land. Other artifacts have been found around where the cabin once stood, dating from the mid/late 1800s until the 1940s. I will say now that I have no solidified dates, and these are just guesses, so please don't attack me on that.

When I first started detecting that spot, I found a Hunter fan logo plate, wires, bottles, bullet casings, fence tools, old horse saddle buckles, and large pieces of metal. I soon realized that the larger metal pieces were all a part of some stove. The pieces connect together in pairs, but none of the pairs connect, which makes sense because I've probably only found 90% of this thing. However, I think it's some potbelly stove.

Even though I'm missing a few pieces, two had the same number: "23 157." The burner lid had the number "2003," and the bottom drawer had the number "2002" or "200Z" on it (I'm not quite sure with the drawer because it's hard to make out if it was a 2 or Z).

Anyway, I've attached a picture where I've organized all of the findings (it wouldn't let me upload a video). I've also included pictures of the bullets and cartridges I've found in case anyone is able to identify how old they are or point me in the right direction to find the history.

If I was able to hold your attention this long, you don't know how much it means to me that you find this interesting as well.

 

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[robertk]

That's a nice assortment of finds! I don't know what kind of stove that was, and I wish you luck in finding out (I've got the same problem, and it's just really hard to find info on stoves that old without manufacturer details). For the bullets, you might have better luck getting an ID and age from the headstamps on the end where the primer is. The photo you posted of those is not readable (at least not to my eyes).

 

[Blackfoot58]

That rectangular item, in hand, looks a lot like a clean out door. I’ve been in a lot of older homes that had coal burning furnaces in the basements. Most had an item like that, near the base of the brick chimney. It allowed soot to be removed as it flaked off the chimney walls and fell. I’m not certain about yours, but it looks like one.
You definitely won’t miss much if you keep digging every signal. Good luck.🍀

 

[sibbley]

For the bullet casing you can check this website. I've never used it for cartridges, but I have for shotgun head stamps. Should help ID those. To see headstamps go to the bottom of the page.

https://cartridge-corner.com/idpics.htm

Way to dig every signal! That's the best way to do it.

 

[pepperj]

Looking at the display of all the recovered items it shows the area of al the nails which appear to be round instead of square. This would date the building to the late 19th century/early 20th century as square nails were used mainly in the 1800's.
Were the recoveries done by detecting and not sifting the site?

 

[pistol-pete]

Going to take an educated guess at the Cartridges, although the photos are lousy. top row
!. 38 long Rimfire 2. fired hunting bullet. 3. 28 Gauge shotshell w/New No4 primer. 4. 44 Long Rimfire
5. 41 Swiss Rimfire. 6. 20 Gauge shotshell w/New No 4 primer. 7. 50-70. 8. 1 Inch Gatling.
If you can take clear photos of the headstamps, I can be more accurate.

 

[historyisdope]

That's a nice assortment of finds! I don't know what kind of stove that was, and I wish you luck in finding out (I've got the same problem, and it's just really hard to find info on stoves that old without manufacturer details). For the bullets, you might have better luck getting an ID and age from the headstamps on the end where the primer is. The photo you posted of those is not readable (at least not to my eyes).

Thank you so much! Yeah it’s been extremely hard trying to find old stoves that have the same pattern.

 

[historyisdope]

That rectangular item, in hand, looks a lot like a clean out door. I’ve been in a lot of older homes that had coal burning furnaces in the basements. Most had an item like that, near the base of the brick chimney. It allowed soot to be removed as it flaked off the chimney walls and fell. I’m not certain about yours, but it looks like one.
You definitely won’t miss much if you keep digging every signal. Good luck.🍀

Oh my gosh thank you for this! That piece has been baffling to me because I really can’t tell where it’s from, but that makes so much sense.

 

[historyisdope]

For the bullet casing you can check this website. I've never used it for cartridges, but I have for shotgun head stamps. Should help ID those. To see headstamps go to the bottom of the page.

https://cartridge-corner.com/idpics.htm

Way to dig every signal! That's the best way to do it.

Amazing thank you!!

 

[historyisdope]

Looking at the display of all the recovered items it shows the area of al the nails which appear to be round instead of square. This would date the building to the late 19th century/early 20th century as square nails were used mainly in the 1800's.
Were the recoveries done by detecting and not sifting the site?

View attachment 2108539

WOW thank you for the details and images!! The shot gun shell is the only thing I’ve been able to date because of the rim, and it’s from around 1865, so this would make sense. The nails are so long, so I was hoping someone could give me a clue. Thanks again!

 

[historyisdope]

Going to take an educated guess at the Cartridges, although the photos are lousy. top row
!. 38 long Rimfire 2. fired hunting bullet. 3. 28 Gauge shotshell w/New No4 primer. 4. 44 Long Rimfire
5. 41 Swiss Rimfire. 6. 20 Gauge shotshell w/New No 4 primer. 7. 50-70. 8. 1 Inch Gatling.
If you can take clear photos of the headstamps, I can be more accurate.

THIS IS AMAZING! Thank you! I’ll take better pictures and respond to you with them soon!

 

[Almy]

The cartridge casings are varied, as PP indicates, some older some newer. The bullets are all modern, jacketed rifle bullets. All the similar spire-pointed ones on the right look like full metal jacket military rounds of the same caliber, probably .308.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Here's what a unfired Swiss 41 round looks like. From my collection of ammo, for my weapons.

L-R
41 Swiss aka 10.4x38mm
577 Snider-Enfield
12 Guage

 

[Retired Sarge]

Looking at the one purported to be a Swiss 41, it has a centerfire primer, which Swiss 41 is rimfire like a 22. So it can't be a 41 Swiss Vetterli shell.

Could be a Martini-Henry or Peabody-Martini cartridge (Shell).

ETA: Apparently I can't count, the one PP called a 41 Swiss is next to the one I thought he was referring to.

That said, does the neck expand once fired? As the Swiss 41 has a tapered neck shell versus a straight wall shell.

 

[historyisdope]

Hi everyone,

I'm glad I found my people. I have a bunch of questions about various pieces I've found in the Bridger range around Bozeman, Montana. If I'm lucky enough to hold your attention by the end of this lengthy post, I'd be extremely grateful to hear any insights you might have on the pictures below. I've spent hours researching and reaching out to online antique publications, but I've always ended up short.

For background, I got permission to metal detect on a private property, and there used to stand an old hunting cabin on part of the land. Other artifacts have been found around where the cabin once stood, dating from the mid/late 1800s until the 1940s. I will say now that I have no solidified dates, and these are just guesses, so please don't attack me on that.

When I first started detecting that spot, I found a Hunter fan logo plate, wires, bottles, bullet casings, fence tools, old horse saddle buckles, and large pieces of metal. I soon realized that the larger metal pieces were all a part of some stove. The pieces connect together in pairs, but none of the pairs connect, which makes sense because I've probably only found 90% of this thing. However, I think it's some potbelly stove.

Even though I'm missing a few pieces, two had the same number: "23 157." The burner lid had the number "2003," and the bottom drawer had the number "2002" or "200Z" on it (I'm not quite sure with the drawer because it's hard to make out if it was a 2 or Z).

Anyway, I've attached a picture where I've organized all of the findings (it wouldn't let me upload a video). I've also included pictures of the bullets and cartridges I've found in case anyone is able to identify how old they are or point me in the right direction to find the history.

If I was able to hold your attention this long, you don't know how much it means to me that you find this interesting as well.

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for your responses, It's gotten me a lot closer to learning the history of the land. I've attached clearer photos of cartridge headstamps.

@pistol-pete @sibbley @robertk @Almy @Retired Sarge

From what I can read from my above post, these are the casing stamps:
- S.A.W Rimfire
- U.M.C 25-20 H.V. (Remington - Higher Velocity)
- WRA Co 25-20 W.H.V. (Winchester High Velocity - smokeless powder?) probably from around 1903
- PETERS 30-30
- U (I don't know what this one is)
- H (I don't know what this one is)
- There is one that is crusted at the very bottom of my original post when the bullets are lined up vertically that I have no idea what it is. I'm thinking it's a 25-20 though.

 

[Fourman110]

That last picture I the first set that looked like a round piece of cast iron might be a stove burner cover. How big is it?

 

[historyisdope]

That last picture I the first set that looked like a round piece of cast iron might be a stove burner cover. How big is it?

I think it's around 9inches in diameter

 

[Fourman110]

not the same size but hauntingly similar.

 

[historyisdope]

View attachment 2109219not the same size but hauntingly similar. View attachment 2109218

Whoa! That's the same coloring and everything. What kind of stove is it?

 

[Idahoglenn]

In the

Hi everyone,

I'm glad I found my people. I have a bunch of questions about various pieces I've found in the Bridger range around Bozeman, Montana. If I'm lucky enough to hold your attention by the end of this lengthy post, I'd be extremely grateful to hear any insights you might have on the pictures below. I've spent hours researching and reaching out to online antique publications, but I've always ended up short.

For background, I got permission to metal detect on a private property, and there used to stand an old hunting cabin on part of the land. Other artifacts have been found around where the cabin once stood, dating from the mid/late 1800s until the 1940s. I will say now that I have no solidified dates, and these are just guesses, so please don't attack me on that.

When I first started detecting that spot, I found a Hunter fan logo plate, wires, bottles, bullet casings, fence tools, old horse saddle buckles, and large pieces of metal. I soon realized that the larger metal pieces were all a part of some stove. The pieces connect together in pairs, but none of the pairs connect, which makes sense because I've probably only found 90% of this thing. However, I think it's some potbelly stove.

Even though I'm missing a few pieces, two had the same number: "23 157." The burner lid had the number "2003," and the bottom drawer had the number "2002" or "200Z" on it (I'm not quite sure with the drawer because it's hard to make out if it was a 2 or Z).

Anyway, I've attached a picture where I've organized all of the findings (it wouldn't let me upload a video). I've also included pictures of the bullets and cartridges I've found in case anyone is able to identify how old they are or point me in the right direction to find the history.

If I was able to hold your attention this long, you don't know how much it means to me that you find this interesting as well.

Hi everyone,

I'm glad I found my people. I have a bunch of questions about various pieces I've found in the Bridger range around Bozeman, Montana. If I'm lucky enough to hold your attention by the end of this lengthy post, I'd be extremely grateful to hear any insights you might have on the pictures below. I've spent hours researching and reaching out to online antique publications, but I've always ended up short.

For background, I got permission to metal detect on a private property, and there used to stand an old hunting cabin on part of the land. Other artifacts have been found around where the cabin once stood, dating from the mid/late 1800s until the 1940s. I will say now that I have no solidified dates, and these are just guesses, so please don't attack me on that.

When I first started detecting that spot, I found a Hunter fan logo plate, wires, bottles, bullet casings, fence tools, old horse saddle buckles, and large pieces of metal. I soon realized that the larger metal pieces were all a part of some stove. The pieces connect together in pairs, but none of the pairs connect, which makes sense because I've probably only found 90% of this thing. However, I think it's some potbelly stove.

Even though I'm missing a few pieces, two had the same number: "23 157." The burner lid had the number "2003," and the bottom drawer had the number "2002" or "200Z" on it (I'm not quite sure with the drawer because it's hard to make out if it was a 2 or Z).

Anyway, I've attached a picture where I've organized all of the findings (it wouldn't let me upload a video). I've also included pictures of the bullets and cartridges I've found in case anyone is able to identify how old they are or point me in the right direction to find the history.

If I was able to hold your attention this long, you don't know how much it means to me that you find this interesting as well.

That's a lot of digging and some cool stuff. That top right cartridge case looks to be an oldie, and possibly a .44 Henry. I can't confirm without seeing a caliper on it and can't quite make out headstamp. I have a couple sites here in Idaho where those come up quite often. A heavily used cartridge in the area Indian wars, and homesteaders thereafter.