Dug a water buffalo..and calling all Rhode Islanders!

[lenmac65]

Skipped work and detected the beach. Dug this 1937 Buffalo Nickel right along the low tide line, but not quite in the water. Other than that, it was nothing but mostly corroded clad. Unsatisfied, I hit the town woods on the way home where there once was an old farm. Found this interesting token for the Mechanics store in Providence, RI. My 80 something year old in-laws are from RI, but don't remember that store. Anyone familiar with this store or the token? I'm guessing 1940s or 1950s. Also found this neat whistle marked THE Metropolitan, Made in England. I have no idea how old it is, but it still sounds great. It is very similar to the whistles made famous by the British Bobbies, but I think this is a general service whistle since it has no police markings. Also dug my first dated buckle sheild, patent 1879. Rounding out the keepers was a brooch-like item with an image of a knight holding a sword and shield. I can't see any trace of where the pin was, so I'm not exactly sure what it is. It is slightly bent, which is a bummer, as I think it is a cool item. Thanks for checking out my post. Happy hunting.

 

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[Joe-Dirt]

That’s a nice assortment for sure. That token is awesome! I went to college in R.I. But never heard of that store nor am I that old ( yet). Is that whistle sterling? I saw one dug marked sterling not too long ago. Great job!!
PS. After tomorrow’s ******* snow storm we’ll all be hunting the beach unfortunately

 

[lenmac65]

That’s a nice assortment for sure. That token is awesome! I went to college in R.I. But never heard of that store nor am I that old ( yet). Is that whistle sterling? I saw one dug marked sterling not too long ago. Great job!!
PS. After tomorrow’s ******* snow storm we’ll all be hunting the beach unfortunately

Thanks, Joe Dirt. I can't find any record of that store, but fifty cents off a suit sure suggests this must be old. No Sterling marks on the whistle, but I'll check again. Yeah weather looks crappy.

 

[Digger RJ]

That is a Cool token!!! The rest of Your finds are Nice too!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Ever dig a pony?

 

[CASPER-2]

Nice finds - continued good luck

 

[pepperj]

Cool token you recovered and whistle.
There might be more info on the token from this entry on the link as it has a few of the same.
Display Token Records - All States

 

[JeffInMass]

Those are some great finds Lenmac- Congrats! I worked on Westminster St. back in the early 80's, and drove all over the city but don't recall that store.

 

[IDXMonster]

Ever dig a pony?

I was gonna say...usually if someone screws with a water Buffalo they’re not around any more to tell about it...

 

[dts52]

Great finds! My guess is that the whistle is modern. Some dog handlers / trainers use them.
dts

 

[lenmac65]

Ever dig a pony?

No. If I did, I think I would let it be.

 

[lenmac65]

Cool token you recovered and whistle.
There might be more info on the token from this entry on the link as it has a few of the same.
Display Token Records - All States

Thank you for that link. It seems to have my exact token, though it is doesn't show a date. I will look at that website closer to see if I can get more information. Thanks for taking the time to share that resource, I appreciate it.

 

[lenmac65]

Those are some great finds Lenmac- Congrats! I worked on Westminster St. back in the early 80's, and drove all over the city but don't recall that store.

Thanks for your insight. Westminster Street is a prominent street in Providence, as I recall. Must have been a popular store, but surely closed a long time ago given the lack of references to it. If this virus ever clears, I'm sure I could find information in old city directories at the library.

 

[lenmac65]

I was gonna say...usually if someone screws with a water Buffalo they’re not around any more to tell about it...

 

[lenmac65]

Great finds! My guess is that the whistle is modern. Some dog handlers / trainers use them.
dts

Thanks. I was thinking it might have something to do with dogs and hunting too. As for age, it probably is on the more modern side; however, it might be older than you think, especially where it says Made in England. Everything is made in China nowadays, unfortunately. Also, the area where I found it was overgrown for many years and largely impassable. I was only able to detect as they recently cleared it for construction. I was thinking 1950s or 1960s, which I suppose is still modern. Would like it to be older, of course, but without a company name or any other markings, I have no clues to go by. Oh well..

 

[crashbandicoot]

Water buffalo?Great play on words.I got a chuckle out of that one!

 

[Erik in NJ]

No. If I did, I think I would let it be.

I've got a feeling that you'd dig it.

Having said that--nice bunch of finds there from the woods! I'd say the token is much older than the 40s or 50s and so is the whistle by the shape of the attachment loop. I'm guessing 1900-1920. No clue on the other item, but it's very cool. If heated right you might be able to straighten it out and it would display very nicely. Good job brother.

 

[DTW]

That’s a nice assortment for sure. That token is awesome! I went to college in R.I. But never heard of that store nor am I that old ( yet). Is that whistle sterling? I saw one dug marked sterling not too long ago. Great job!!
PS. After tomorrow’s ******* snow storm we’ll all be hunting the beach unfortunately

@Joe Dirt, where di you attend college in RI?

 

[lenmac65]

I've got a feeling that you'd dig it.

Having said that--nice bunch of finds there from the woods! I'd say the token is much older than the 40s or 50s and so is the whistle by the shape of the attachment loop. I'm guessing 1900-1920. No clue on the other item, but it's very cool. If heated right you might be able to straighten it out and it would display very nicely. Good job brother.

Thanks! I am totally guessing on the token. My father told me he bought his first suit in 1954 when he began teaching and paid about $40. I thought 50 cents off might be right for that time period. However, I don't know how common tokens were then, so it probably is older. The whistle does strike me as old, and 1900 to 1920 seems reasonable. Maybe I will do some more research. This location has produced finds from a range of time periods. Though I have not found a lot of coins there, the earliest was a KGII. Can't wait to "get back" there .. sorry.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Very nice token and always great to find whistles (and bells) that still make a sound!