Civil War Camp hunting and a FIRST FOR ME!!!

Beeps in my sleep

Hero Member
Sep 6, 2013
713
883
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Detector(s) used
Whites 6000, Fisher F2, Garrett AT Pro, XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I got off of work early today. Yes it was 24 degrees but I thought screw it. I geared up and layered up in clothing. I went to the spot I have permission where there was a camp during the Civil war. I found many things including a first for me which I will save until the end of the post..as long as my photographs load. I was taking them as I was going. My first signal was this pocket knife that was very jumpy. I can't date it obviously but judging by the condition it is in, would anybody else agree that it could have possibly been from one of the 20k troops camped on this ground? Here it is in the field and a little cleaned up after I got home.

CAM_0048.JPG CAM_0049.JPG CAM_0070.JPG

Then I came upon this awesome horse shoe! Signaled like garbage but once I dug down deep enough this beauty staired back at me.

CAM_0050.JPG CAM_0051.JPG

Break time.... Dug a ton of crap

CAM_0052.JPG

Next I found these... I am almost 100 percent positive they are the remnants of a Harmonica or Harmonica's since these look like the reeds. ( hopefully someone can confirm this)

CAM_0053.JPG

Found some what is it's . I will link this thread in the what is it thread instead of re uploading all of this.

CAM_0059.JPG CAM_0060.JPG

CAM_0061.JPG CAM_0062.JPG

And the best for last! I found a button with an Eagle on it and an I . The shank is intact but unfortunately it is so corroded on the back I can't see any marks. From the examples I have seen this is an infantry button and my first civil war one ( If it is civil war) . Tons of flat buttons but never one of these. Pics in the field and then after I rubbed it a little with a soft plastic brush.

CAM_0044.JPG CAM_0046.JPG

CAM_0057.JPG CAM_0058.JPG

Enjoy!
 

Upvote 13
Killer finds Beeps. The button is great. Seems to be made a bit different on the back than what I usually find. Different shank.
 

Great button and yes, those are harmonica reeds you found. My first were still stacked when I found them with the wood long rotted away. The chain looks like it is for early gear driven equipment. Hope you find the info you need on the button....looks to be a very cool find. 24 degrees isn't too cold as long as you can dig, I say Go for it! At least you know you won't have many competing for space, lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Last edited:
loverly! Well worth the cold. Pretty lil "I" too!

WTG!
 

Great button and yes, those are harmonica reeds you found. My first were still stacked when I found them with the wood long rotted away. The chain looks like it is for early gear driven equipment. Hope you find the info you need on the button....looks to be a very cool find. 24 degrees isn't too cold as long as you can dig, I say Go for it! At least you know you won't have many competing for space, lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you ! How old do you think that chain is? For some reason I am not a fan of modern things but if it is over 100 years old I keep it which is why my GF gets so mad haha!

And thank you for the congrats TNGUNS. I had fun today my friend. Tomorrow I am going out all day at the same spot, since today I only had a few hours.:icon_thumright:
 

Your first whatsit is a shutter hinge. I've found one or three myself.
 

I tried to find examples on Google with that exact same style of chain, Beeps but no luck so far. I am pretty certain I have seen it before on old horse or mule pulled farm equipment, so it should well be over 100 years old.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

That style chain is still made today .. There is no way of knowing how old it is
 

I tried to find examples on Google with that exact same style of chain, Beeps but no luck so far. I am pretty certain I have seen it before on old horse or mule pulled farm equipment, so it should well be over 100 years old.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Appreciate the help! Hopefully tomorrow's dig will blow this day out of the water. If it doesn't, its all about the fun :) Maybe I can pass it off as a tread off of a tank haha
 

Just giving you confirmation... yes, your button is a US Army Infantry Officer's button (the Enlisted-man's version did not have a letter on the shield). And, since you were wondering, yes, yours is the civil war era model. The specific version of eagle-I button you found, with a "very symmetrical" eagle, dates from about 1850 to 1874. (F

I should mention... from 1875 to 1902, the eagle looked different AND the shield on the eagle's chest was high-raised instead of "flush" like on your button. So, congratulations, your find is the civil war model of eagle-I button.
 

I've nailed on horse shoes that look just like that one. No way to know the age unless the shoe was found in conjunction with other datable stuff.
 

I've nailed on horse shoes that look just like that one. No way to know the age unless the shoe was found in conjunction with other datable stuff.

Thanks BosnMate . No dates on anything other than the confirmed Eagle Infantry button from the civil war era (thank you TheCannonBall Guy!) The fact that its a fact it was a camp and that I found period stuff, and the simple fact I dug that thing and the others up today is enough to make me smile! The only day I don't smile is when I find nothing but pull tabs and hotwheels cars haha
 

Im gonna go out on a limb and confirm that you did find harmonica reeds as well. Beautiful finds Beeps!
 

Awesome finds! I keep going back to the pocket knife...the emblem on it looks familiar to me. Is it the same as this? Vintage Winchester USA 3 Blade Knife Mint Nice | eBay

I see several that has the same style emblem, hopefully someone who knows knives will recognize it.
 

As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Awesome finds! I keep going back to the pocket knife...the emblem on it looks familiar to me. Is it the same as this? Vintage Winchester USA 3 Blade Knife Mint Nice | eBay

I see several that has the same style emblem, hopefully someone who knows knives will recognize it.

I know what you mean , I have one of those.. however this is in such bad condition that it is to hard to tell. The one I found like the one you linked me too still wasn't as bad as this and you could see the blades
 

As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sweet finds!
 

Nice button, I've never found one with that type back. Great Civil War save.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top