found at a south carolina rev war battlesite

[Wrecker58]

Hey guys i recently found this item at a very rural but well known revolutionary battlesite in south carolina; which our very patriotic francis marion himself surprised the british with his well known guerilla tactics. There were many deaths on the militia, as well as british forces. i have found many items in these woodlands; some that were very easily id'd-some i used local park historians and military history guru's to id for me---but this one has us all stumped and historians want an answer as bad as i do-----this item was found in 5 inches of beautiful lowcountry swamp soil in the forest. 10 yards from where militia dug huge mounds to assist with the attack- from research it seems to maybe have been within the walls of the campsite---due to buttons, glass from bottles, and pottery has been found---on the other side of the mounds; as well as in the mounds- I have found musket balls ---any way the historians have guessed that maybe this item could have been a military/personal piece of flair worn on a necklace due to its 2 piece construction with the small pin sized hole in it-(makes sense) however theyre are no markings on the front or back!? one historian who also is a huge historian towards hunting says that the militia used to carry hounds with them to assist in sniffing out british stragglers in the dense forest-(maybe a dog tag?makes no sense)- my third try was a historian who claimed its possible to be a piece of a weapon?gun?not sure

 

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[BioProfessor]

When I look at something found at a battlesite, a camp, housesite, etc. I try to discount the time frame. If you try to tie the item to the place and time where it was found, it limits your thinking. If I did this, I know for a fact that Bud Light was popular with CW soldiers when they spent time in their camps and Mountain Dew was a popular drink while making Blob Top bottles.

So when I look at this, a couple of questions/thoughts come to mind. It looks like the top part may have been attached to the bottom part to make something that would serve a purpose - the joint is pretty clunky. Does it look this way to you?

Can you tell if the bottom part is complete or does it have broken edges?

My first thought is that the top would fit into a slot of some sort and be pinned or bolted in. It would move up and down. In this capacity, it could be a make-shift drawer pull. Since the top is between two edges of a slot, it could be raised to level and the bottom part used as a handle to turn whatever it was attached to.

So think utility - not Revolutionary War - and see what the item can tell you.

Hope this helps.

Daryl

 

[creskol]

Albeit a bit crude, it reminds me of a lid to an inkwell.

 

[nova treasure]

it looks like a horse harness pendant ?

Bill

 

[Bramblefind]

What metal is it made of? I saw this pic in the Rev War Collector's Encyclopedia (Neumann) of a Tinder Lighter that looked similar - but they need to be made of steel:

 

[Wrecker58]

When I look at something found at a battlesite, a camp, housesite, etc. I try to discount the time frame. If you try to tie the item to the place and time where it was found, it limits your thinking. If I did this, I know for a fact that Bud Light was popular with CW soldiers when they spent time in their camps and Mountain Dew was a popular drink while making Blob Top bottles.

So when I look at this, a couple of questions/thoughts come to mind. It looks like the top part may have been attached to the bottom part to make something that would serve a purpose - the joint is pretty clunky. Does it look this way to you?

Can you tell if the bottom part is complete or does it have broken edges?

My first thought is that the top would fit into a slot of some sort and be pinned or bolted in. It would move up and down. In this capacity, it could be a make-shift drawer pull. Since the top is between two edges of a slot, it could be raised to level and the bottom part used as a handle to turn whatever it was attached to.

So think utility - not Revolutionary War - and see what the item can tell you.

Hope this helps.

Daryl

Daryl i cant tell you how much this helps me "think outside the bun" ---the item (when flipped upside down has a certain equalibrium if you will-) it could most definitely have been a piece to another piece that had a function. The item in question has a small bend or slight fold to it from center to edges from maybe wear and tear. The corners seem to be intact and this item holds a real solid strength. Whatever it was it was definitely made to be very durable. What strikes me as weird, is that i've returned to the battle mound in which i found it and have uncovered nothing but iron bits and peices that were quite large and may have been involved in an explosion-theyre either broken, bent, or warped.however theyre might have also been a blacksmith on hand doing his work-hmmmmmm?! u have me thinking with sense now.

 

[Wrecker58]

Albeit a bit crude, it reminds me of a lid to an inkwell.

very very interesting---i will def look into that-bio professor now has me thinkn towards less of a military standpoint-but maybe something of civilian use

 

[Wrecker58]

it looks like a horse harness pendant ?

Bill

hey bill-as a young adventurer i have uncovered many items and thought of only soldiers--the historian who introduced the concept of animals serving in our history has definitely come into significance now. The hound tag he seemed too bland ---------but horses were of a serious comodity to the soldiers---ya got me thinking-thanks--------is there any where you might recommend checking it this? ive googled but have come up short

 

[Wrecker58]

What metal is it made of? I saw this pic in the Rev War Collector's Encyclopedia (Neumann) of a Tinder Lighter that looked similar - but they need to be made of steel:

Oh buddy wouldnt that be a find for me! never even seen this contraption before! its awesome! The item seems to have the same characteristics as the tinder lighter! Looks to be of steel (but not positive) -may be a silly question but are there any characteristics of steel being in damp forest ground for 300 yrs (would there be a green hue? or any coloration of that matter- i need to brush up on my metals thats for sure. and your research has definitely led me to think i need to get my butt back out there maybe find some more small parts in the earth where i found this! Im really looking into this one now! thanks for your help!