Dug a US Plate in rough shape.

[hunting deer]

I tried a new field tonight. The 1874 atlas showed a house way in the middle so I set off to find it. An hour later and alot of walking and I started hearing iron. I found some keepers. I have no idea if this is "or was" a belt plate or a box plate. It made my day though. What I assumed was a large cent turned out to be a Canadian Half Penny. 1837 I believe. I worked on it with the andre pencils and a light copper wheel. A little too much copper wheel I think but it cleaned up nice instead of mystery coin. Two eagle buttons. One smashed. A couple flat buttons. A large brass item. No idea. Some lamp parts. A candle holder ring. Some type of hammer head. Looks like an older clip. London on one of the flat buttons. I found three double eyelet items. Does anyone know what they were used for? I don't. Had a good time! Thats my second ever US plate. Its been abused no doubt. Good Hunting!

 

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[robertk]

I just wanted to post a pic of the same plate after doing some "carefull" bending with five different types of pliers.

That came out pretty good considering where it started! I would have been too afraid of breaking it to do that. Nice job!

 

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[hunting deer]

The eyelet pieces are lead and they were used chained together thru a pipe to extract water from the ground, kind of like a well pump.

Without seeming rude can I ask how you came across this explanation of their use? It would seem to be a VERY plausible explanation to me. I say this because at this spot they were all clustered together in one area. In fact.... I found MORE on my second trip. They also seem to have some lead properties though not as soft. And would there be any other substantial info describing this process? Possible patent diagrams etc. I've come up blank. I'm just very curious about these. I've found so many over the years that its become an obsession with me to solve this riddle. That's one of the main reasons I like to detect. To find things I didn't know existed and figure out how they were used and to learn about history. The more popular finds being a bonus of course.

 

[hunting deer]

That came out pretty good considering where it started! I would have been too afraid of breaking it to do that. Nice job!

Thanks! I was afraid too! I wanted to display it next my other one though.

 

[creskol]

Without seeming rude can I ask how you came across this explanation of their use? It would seem to be a VERY plausible explanation to me. I say this because at this spot they were all clustered together in one area. In fact.... I found MORE on my second trip. They also seem to have some lead properties though not as soft. And would there be any other substantial info describing this process? Possible patent diagrams etc. I've come up blank. I'm just very curious about these. I've found so many over the years thats its become an obsession with me to solve this riddle. That's one of the main reasons I like to detect. To find things I didn't know existed and figure out how they were used and to learn about history. The more popular finds being a bonus of course.

Can you tell us what the diameter is on these pieces. Thanks

 

[GDub62]

Update: I just wanted to post a pic of the same plate after doing some "carefull" bending with five different types of pliers. Then I used my andre pencils to sharpen the details. No water, just a dry brush. I sealed the back with gorilla wood glue to help preserve it and hold it's shape. It was rolled up like a cigar when I found it! I was sure it was gonna split completely in the middle or elsewhere but I went micro slow with the bending. Just wanted a better display. Cheers!View attachment 2116923View attachment 2116924View attachment 2116925

Nice work!

 

[Fentonian]

It was used like this, as the lead links wore out, they were replaced, usually why you find multiples whenever you find them. It’s early pioneer tech.

 

[BennyV]

Great work on the restoration!

Looking at the back of it I don’t see the belt attachments so I’m leaning box plate. Unless they broke off.

 

[hunting deer]

Can you tell us what the diameter is on these pieces. Thanks

OK......... The first three photos are the ones I posted in this thread. The next four photos are some that I found in the past which are slightly smaller. Also something that I can't believe I missed till now is the fact that the eyelets are offset on the smaller ones. The ones I found on this recent trip aren't. Also found one in my find stash that has a fragment of chain still attached which would give credence to Fentonian's explanation of their use. All the ones I've "ever" found previously have always had the eyelets offset. Also a quick video of the two types.

 

[hunting deer]

Thankyou!! I agree. I was thinking box plate as well.

 

[Fentonian]

OK......... The first three photos are the ones I posted in this thread. The next four photos are some that I found in the past which are slightly smaller. Also something that I can't believe I missed till now is the fact that the eyelets are offset on the smaller ones. The ones I found on this recent trip they aren't. Also found one in my find stash that has a fragment of chain still attached which would give credence to Fentonian's explanation of their use. All the ones I've "ever" found previously have always had the eyelets offset. Also a quick video of the two types.

I’ve got a book at home that shows a way better picture than the one I posted. I am certain what you have is for water recovery purposes. I have LOTS (100+) of these. They sound so good, always think I got big early silver coming out of the ground…

 

[hunting deer]

It was used like this, as the lead links wore out, they were replaced, usually why you find multiples whenever you find them. It’s early pioneer tech.

Thanks!! I scratched my head about these were for over ten years! Sometimes I'd find one out in the middle of nowhere. Other times two or more. I knew they had to have some type of a common use. I just didn't know what. Thanks again!!

 

[hunting deer]

I’ve got a book at home that shows a way better picture than the one I posted. I am certain what you have is for water recovery purposes. I have LOTS (100+) of these. They sound so good, always think I got big early silver coming out of the ground…

Exactly!! If you tell me what book it is I'd like to try to find a copy! Now I got something to go on. They're just so fricken common. It was really bothering me that I couldn't figure it out. I always thought the same thing. That's gotta be something good.....what? lol!

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Great job on the restoration !

 

[Nathan W]

You did a good job, I bet that was stressful

 

[hunting deer]

Great job on the restoration !

Thankyou!

 

[hunting deer]

You did a good job, I bet that was stressful

Thankyou! Yeah it was! I'm a Veteran so any military

You did a good job, I bet that was stressful

Yeah it was! I'm a Veteran so anything military I find I want to treat with respect not just for the item but also for who it might have belonged too. And definitely not snap it in half!

 

[BennyV]

Thankyou! Yeah it was! I'm a Veteran so any military

Yeah it was! I'm a Veteran so anything military I find I want to treat with respect not just for the item but also for who it might have belonged too. And definitely not snap it in half!

Thank you for your service

 

[Silvermonkey]

Hunting deer....you made some really great finds on that hunt. Congrats on the US belt plate. fantastic job in the preservation department.

 

[hunting deer]

Hunting deer....you made some really great finds on that hunt. Congrats on the US belt plate. fantastic job in the preservation department.

Thankyou!

 

[JeffInMass]

There's always the risk when hunting in fields that finds may get struck and damaged, but that plae and the rest of the finds are awesome- Congrats!!