6 test pits dug between myself and my cousin. Results? 1 flat button. :(

[matt092079]

At least I was the lucky winner of finding the flat button. lol My cousin, flyinryan2, and I had the idea to dig a few pits on top of this hill where an old school house sat. There was other activity in this field as well, dating from colonial, early 1800's and through the Civil War. We both dug 3 test holes a piece. First one I dig about 6 inches off the top layer of sod, then I dug down probably about 8 inches more and got my first good target in the hole and sifted the dirt out and got a nice flat button with a crown at the top and "plated" at the bottom. I got a bunch of square nails and flat iron and pottery shards in the hole as well. 4 more test holes later, the same thing. Nails and pottery. Nothing panned out with our first time try at digging out pits. It was fun nonetheless and will probably give it another go. Finding the button on the first test hole kinda got my blood pumping thinking it was gonna really pan out well. Always next time! Here's a few pics. Thanks for looking and HH!

 

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[wheatfinder13]

Cool button

 

[G.A.P.metal]

Thanks for posting that nice find

 

[John Boy]

Man that's a lot of work for one button. But that's the way it goes sometimes. The main thing is you didn't leave empty handed.do you have a pic of the front after its cleaned sure would like to see it can't really make out much on the first one.thanks.way to go buddy.

 

[matt092079]

The front is plain, John Boy.

 

[hamiddetecting]

Nice

 

[VOL1266-X]

You guys had to cool off eventually Matt. There have been days I would have been happy with one flat button. Action will pick up for you guys. Rent a backhoe next time-LOL. HH, Q.

 

[matt092079]

Maybe we will ask the landowners to plow the whole field for us. lol I'm sure they wouldn't mind, right?

 

[JmCraz8]

Nice button!!!

 

[matt092079]

Thank you. We just had a little time after work today to do a few test holes in a couple spots. We'd like to get a full day in there and really do some digging. We both detected the pounded out site for a little bit afterwards and he found a 3 ringer and I found a pewter button.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Dont worry Matt, if you keep at it with those test holes I can tell you you're gonna hit pay dirt sooner or later and end up finding 20-40 buttons,etc,etc all in one hole, it takes time and patients and good research but it will pay out. Good luck mate!

 

[matt092079]

Thanks. It won't be the last time. It was hard work, but it was fun at the same time not knowing what might pop up. Of course I prefer just swinging the coil, but it's something new in the treasure hunting game. HH

 

[flyinryan2]

Yea it was fun, when you said you had a button on the first shovel full I thought we was going to have our "mothaload",lol. I defiantly want to try it again.

 

[matt092079]

Yea it was fun, when you said you had a button on the first shovel full I thought we was going to have our "mothaload",lol. I defiantly want to try it again.

Oh yeah! You just never know. There's always that chance for the MOOOTHHAAALOAD! lol

 

[Gunrunner61]

A really nice Button.................HH

 

[BuckleBoy]

Keep at it and you'll start making finds with the test pits! One button is a start.

Cheers,

Buck

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Matt - did you guys probe the area first or just start digging random test holes in the area of the old schoolhouse? I like to use the detector to find the heavy iron, especially the deep stuff, then dig a test hole at that point. I think you're going to become very frustrated (and tired!!) if you just dig a lot of random holes. You might get lucky doing it that way, but because of the labor intensity of digging and sifting you should only be doing that at the most promising spots. Also, what are you trying to find around an old school house? How old is it? There could be privies on the site, but doubt they'd have any old bottles except for maybe a few inkwells. Please don't take my comments the wrong way - just trying to pass on my experiences to you. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress ..... Bill

 

[matt092079]

There are heavily infested iron signals and our main objective was to dig out larger sections of iron infested areas and try to dig out any good targets that were masked by the iron. We weren't digging your typical "pit" or trash pit, as in a really large deep hole. I guess we would have if we came upon that, but we didn't. I think the school house is early 1800's, before 1830 I'm sure. There were also CW camps set up every where, so there is that possibility as well. I take your advise, Bill! I would never take it the wrong way. Thanks for looking and also trying to help out! It's greatly appreciated. I don't know if I'm ready to dig an actual trash pit or not. It's a lot of work and I really don't have that kinda time.