Patriot Relics
Silver Member
Hey guys,
Been quietly watching the incredible recoveries on here over the last year since my last post while hitting the ground in West TN. While the dirt does offer up the occasional CW relic, I clearly have been spoiled over the last 7 years digging the rich SC soil. Given my focus has always been pre 1830 militaria, I knew a trip back to my old stomping grounds in the Low Country of SC was in order. The CTX was fresh back from a long overdue factory overhaul and I had every intention of putting it through the paces. The site I targeted was the same I had hit hard last year - an Revolutionary War era ships wharf that saw service throughout the many conflicts in SC from 1780-1865. This site has been unmatched in producing early marked pewter buttons given favorable soil conditions...needless to say it did not disappoint.
I arrived on the ultra low tide and began the work of clearing debris and muck to gain access to the target layers. Switched on the CTX and received my first target in over a year. 12-18 was spot on for a nice pewter coat button so I scooped up the plug delicately and expected to see a nice dark round target. This is what I saw...
The unmistakable sign of colonial gold, a beautiful monogramed cufflink. Initials I believe to be J - F - H, and should date from 1760-1780s. Any gold adornment from the 18th century is insanely rare and acid testing placed this one at 22Kt.
Here's a similar set from the Charleston museum on display that was cast in copper.
Resisting the urge to rush straight back to my truck, I started to grid the area systematically. Thank god I didn't bail because the find to come nearly topped the gold cuff. Next in the plug another cufflink...
Mid 18th century British Lieutenant tutor rose cuff in remarkable condition. The octagonal shape likely pointing to pre-Revolution.
After clearing an endless amount of buck and ball along with musket ball fragments I started finding the good stuff.
First up 1798-1802 United States 6th Regiment
1811 Army Eagle Cuff over 3 Stars
1812 Script I 6 Point Star
1812 Script I 5 Point Star
1812 2nd Infantry Regiment
1812 Script I cuffs
1812 Off center Script I cuff
And of course the dreaded PN backmark coat (likely mid 18th century British issue)
Button group shot, never going to top this
18th century bayonet lug and trigger guard fragment
Flat buttons
Encased copper coin (in my experience all that is left inside is a thin copper disk).
Pewter spoons
CW era fuse remnants and bullets
CW Whitworth shell fragment (hexagonal iron)
That about wraps up another epic hunt in the Low Country of SC. Really couldn't ask for a more productive dig and the gold cufflink is over the top. Now the quest begins to find a wealthy 18th century Charlestonian with the right initials. Here's a group shot of the haul and as always thanks for looking.
Been quietly watching the incredible recoveries on here over the last year since my last post while hitting the ground in West TN. While the dirt does offer up the occasional CW relic, I clearly have been spoiled over the last 7 years digging the rich SC soil. Given my focus has always been pre 1830 militaria, I knew a trip back to my old stomping grounds in the Low Country of SC was in order. The CTX was fresh back from a long overdue factory overhaul and I had every intention of putting it through the paces. The site I targeted was the same I had hit hard last year - an Revolutionary War era ships wharf that saw service throughout the many conflicts in SC from 1780-1865. This site has been unmatched in producing early marked pewter buttons given favorable soil conditions...needless to say it did not disappoint.
I arrived on the ultra low tide and began the work of clearing debris and muck to gain access to the target layers. Switched on the CTX and received my first target in over a year. 12-18 was spot on for a nice pewter coat button so I scooped up the plug delicately and expected to see a nice dark round target. This is what I saw...
The unmistakable sign of colonial gold, a beautiful monogramed cufflink. Initials I believe to be J - F - H, and should date from 1760-1780s. Any gold adornment from the 18th century is insanely rare and acid testing placed this one at 22Kt.
Here's a similar set from the Charleston museum on display that was cast in copper.
Resisting the urge to rush straight back to my truck, I started to grid the area systematically. Thank god I didn't bail because the find to come nearly topped the gold cuff. Next in the plug another cufflink...
Mid 18th century British Lieutenant tutor rose cuff in remarkable condition. The octagonal shape likely pointing to pre-Revolution.
After clearing an endless amount of buck and ball along with musket ball fragments I started finding the good stuff.
First up 1798-1802 United States 6th Regiment
1811 Army Eagle Cuff over 3 Stars
1812 Script I 6 Point Star
1812 Script I 5 Point Star
1812 2nd Infantry Regiment
1812 Script I cuffs
1812 Off center Script I cuff
And of course the dreaded PN backmark coat (likely mid 18th century British issue)
Button group shot, never going to top this
18th century bayonet lug and trigger guard fragment
Flat buttons
Encased copper coin (in my experience all that is left inside is a thin copper disk).
Pewter spoons
CW era fuse remnants and bullets
CW Whitworth shell fragment (hexagonal iron)
That about wraps up another epic hunt in the Low Country of SC. Really couldn't ask for a more productive dig and the gold cufflink is over the top. Now the quest begins to find a wealthy 18th century Charlestonian with the right initials. Here's a group shot of the haul and as always thanks for looking.
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