B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Merf

Silver Member
Jan 7, 2007
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Northern Illinois
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Primary Interest:
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B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

I got permission to hunt a new field where an 1870 farmstead once stood. 60 degrees and sunny today so I headed to the site. After about a 1/4 mile hike to the aproximate location and a 1/2 hour search I got that welcome sound of many small iron targets. [square nails]
My first non ferrous signal was the token lying on top of the ground under corn leaves.
What a great way to start the hunt. I hunted two more hours and found the B.Burnham button with lots of gilt still on it and the large lead ball [7/8 inch in diameter.]
Any info on the age of the button or info on weather the lead is from a gun is appreciated.
The IH penny is in the pics for size comparison.
Thanks for looking and best luck to all, Merf
 

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Upvote 0
Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

wow nice digs!!!! looks like a pain to hunt. :icon_pirat:
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

WoW - nice :)

HH
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Great finds merf.Cant wait to see the rest when you get back there.good luck
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Thanks Rob, Nick, Lonewolf, and Jimmy.
I did some web research and I think the lead is a dropped, 85 caliber, pre civil war musket ball.
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Nice finds. Bet it was hard to detect around those stalks

Cheers!

Dugholes :laughing7:
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

DugHoles said:
Nice finds. Bet it was hard to detect around those stalks

Cheers!

Dugholes :laughing7:


Thanks Dug-----It is not that bad---I just follow the rows taking short swings.
I much prefer a bean field but I can not pass up any 1800s sites.
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

That token is awesome, Merf!! :o I know you had to play hard for those finds in that field! :o

Congrats on a great hunt! :thumbsup: Nan
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

old style blackpowder 12 or 10 gauge smooth bore shotgun ball "slug" for deer hunting maybe
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

very neat token

HH
-GC
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Nice digs Merf..that token is very cool, especially with a date on it. Neat how they abbreviated Illinois.

Nat
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

I love that 1861 store token, Merf! I also like your style of hunting. :wink:

Kyle
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Nana40 said:
That token is awesome, Merf!! :o I know you had to play hard for those finds in that field! :o

Congrats on a great hunt! :thumbsup: Nan


Thanks Nan-----It was a good workout. ;D
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

plehbah said:
Peculiar patina on that roundball. Looks a little green. Is that typical of lead for that area?

Could there be any type of milling activity in the area?



Good point Plehbah-----You got me thinking . Thanks.
I scraped the ball with a knife and it is brass, copper, or an alloy.
It appears to be poured as there is a dimple on one side and a seam.
Now I am wondering if it is ordinance or something else.
 

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Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

ivan salis said:
old style blackpowder 12 or 10 gauge smooth bore shotgun ball "slug" for deer hunting maybe


Could be 10 guage. But I have read that some imported muskets [pre civil war] were 80 caliber and larger.
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Real nice finds Merf! :thumbsup: With the size of that field it could take a few years to search.
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Thanks Fisher, Goldencoin, Nat, and Zoyboy.
Hope this window of opportunity does not close too quickly. :thumbsup:
Once they plant the fields I will have to head back to the woods and parks.
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Hunter said:
Real nice finds Merf! :thumbsup: With the size of that field it could take a few years to search.


Thanks Hunter----I only search the areas where the old farmhouses and barns once stood.
 

Re: B&Burnham Gilt, another old token, and a large lead ball.

Great token Merf.....and right on the surface too. You always find the good stuff. :thumbsup:
 

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