Finds From an Old Gold Mine

oldmxrat

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Reno Nevada summers, Las Vegas winters
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The nice weather prompted me to head back out to an old gold mine where I've found some interesting things in the past. I could see by fresh footprints and lots of freshly dug holes that someone had been detecting here recently, probably on the weekend. Well, they didn't get everything!
My favorite finds were a drink token from a railhead ghost town in the Mojave Desert and an AB match safe with the matches still inside!

IMG_8821.webp


Along with the usual period finds was the most complete clay pipe I've ever found, an old pocket knife that had MOP on the brass scales, a mechanical pencil, part of a lantern with a patent date of Feb. 11 1873, and some sort of clothing fastener that says "Climax Lou KY", "Pat. Mar. 27 1888" and "Patented in Great-Britain, United States, & Germany".
Cartridges include a "primrose" UMC Majestic No. 10, a 45-90 W.C.F., .44 W.C.F., .38 Colt Special, .45 Colt, .32 S&W, and an unfired 30-30 Winchester.

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The little medicine bottle has several cracks in it, but is in one piece and is turning purple so I saved it.
The pipe bowl was in three pieces and I glued it back together.
 

Upvote 34
Your Manvel token may have come from Manvel, North Dakota; a small town on the state's eastern border.
Don.....

I believe it's from Manvel CA, which later became Barnwell. Manvel/Barnwell was the railhead town that served the gold district that this mine was part of.

California it is, and the 'E.E.P.' might be for 'E.E. Palmers' [pics from tokencatalog.com]:

Manvel1.webp

Manvel2.webp
 

Just for good measure, the lamp burner is from Lewis J. Atwood’s patent, assigned to the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company (both of Waterbury, Connecticut).

Atwood.webp
 

UGH my computer won't load pics from this site for some reason, its SO freaking frustrating!!
 

Nice finds! Congrats! :icon_thumright:
 

The nice weather prompted me to head back out to an old gold mine where I've found some interesting things in the past. I could see by fresh footprints and lots of freshly dug holes that someone had been detecting here recently, probably on the weekend. Well, they didn't get everything!
My favorite finds were a drink token from a railhead ghost town in the Mojave Desert and an AB match safe with the matches still inside!

View attachment 2198368

Along with the usual period finds was the most complete clay pipe I've ever found, an old pocket knife that had MOP on the brass scales, a mechanical pencil, part of a lantern with a patent date of Feb. 11 1873, and some sort of clothing fastener that says "Climax Lou KY", "Pat. Mar. 27 1888" and "Patented in Great-Britain, United States, & Germany".
Cartridges include a "primrose" UMC Majestic No. 10, a 45-90 W.C.F., .44 W.C.F., .38 Colt Special, .45 Colt, .32 S&W, and an unfired 30-30 Winchester.

View attachment 2198374View attachment 2198375

The little medicine bottle has several cracks in it, but is in one piece and is turning purple so I saved it.
The pipe bowl was in three pieces and I glued it back together.
Man, you found some great stuff. 😍
 

The nice weather prompted me to head back out to an old gold mine where I've found some interesting things in the past. I could see by fresh footprints and lots of freshly dug holes that someone had been detecting here recently, probably on the weekend. Well, they didn't get everything!
My favorite finds were a drink token from a railhead ghost town in the Mojave Desert and an AB match safe with the matches still inside!

View attachment 2198368

Along with the usual period finds was the most complete clay pipe I've ever found, an old pocket knife that had MOP on the brass scales, a mechanical pencil, part of a lantern with a patent date of Feb. 11 1873, and some sort of clothing fastener that says "Climax Lou KY", "Pat. Mar. 27 1888" and "Patented in Great-Britain, United States, & Germany".
Cartridges include a "primrose" UMC Majestic No. 10, a 45-90 W.C.F., .44 W.C.F., .38 Colt Special, .45 Colt, .32 S&W, and an unfired 30-30 Winchester.

View attachment 2198374View attachment 2198375

The little medicine bottle has several cracks in it, but is in one piece and is turning purple so I saved it.
The pipe bowl was in three pieces and I glued it back together.
such an interesting assortment of saves, well done and thanks for posting friend
 

Wow what a great hunt. The matchbox safe with the matches is absolutely beutiful. Congratulations
 

fantastic finds. It is always a problem when you tell others where you have found stuff. I seem to remember you naming the town in one of your posts.
I've had people follow me when I prospect, others with endless questions of where something was found. Even if I go to parks, people want to know ,what park. I no longer belong to any clubs, If I see someone else and they ask, I only say in the dirt.
I did take someone with me recently, to my claim, but later noticed, he did not refill any holes. He will not be going back again.

I lived in Vegas for a short time,(40+ years ago)and used to ride my dirt bike in northern AZ north of Meadview, I remember there being an old town out there, bunch of cars in the wash, may have been a movie set washed away in the 1930's. Remains of another town in the White Hills area. Don't worry I'm in Tucson now and will not follow you.
 

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