✅ SOLVED Front Yard Find. What Is It?

[VaNana]

I found this today in my front yard. It was about 8" down. It weighs 7.4 oz. and is 6" long, 1 1/2" wide and 2 3/8" high. I am pretty sure there was an old ordinary there at one time.

 

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[OWK]

It is the lock (firing mechanism) from a flintlock musket.

 

[Dakotademon7]

Part of a flint lock rifle.

 

[relic nut]

I agree... Lock from flint lock gun. That is freaking awesome!!!!!!!

 

[OWK]

Certainly an amazing front yard find.

Not knowing whether it was discarded later, or a battlefield loss, I'd hunt that front yard with a passion, and dig every little chirp.

 

[VaNana]

Thanks guys! It was found not a couple feet from where I found the belt buckle in my avatar. I think there was an old ordinary there because I found a foundation, and there was one mentioned in the history of the area. I also think it was burned during the civil war because many buildings on this road were.

 

[ARC]

Sounds like your yard is a "hotbed"... um... how sweet is that...
Got the kitchen...
the toilet...
And couch for short breaks...

And shower to rinse off...

All this of course will come in useful for the occasional breaks for a few minutes of a day...
while I dug the crap outta every square inch of my yard.

 

[VaNana]

I have spent hours and hours in my yard. The neighbors (though they are not to close) must think I am crazy. I probably have at least 20 lbs. of square nails. And a boat load of horse shoes. I am trying to find out the history here. The family has been in here since 1860 and had this house built in 1880. But there is no record written or oral about the foundation in the front yard. It is all under ground so no one knew it was there.

 

[VaNana]

Thanks for the picture! I looked at many pictures but didn't find one that close! It really looks a lot like mine it makes sense to me now.

 

[OWK]

I'm pretty sure this is a Revolutionary war period lock.

Looks like it belongs to a Brown Bess to me, but I'm not a flintlock expert.

 

[OWK]

This is the lock from a Brown Bess.

Your example is of course missing the cock, but note the similarity in the frizzen, the position of the hardware, and the nipple taper on the lock plate, on what would be the butt end of the musket.

 

[ARC]

I have spent hours and hours in my yard. The neighbors (though they are not to close) must think I am crazy. I probably have at least 20 lbs. of square nails. And a boat load of horse shoes. I am trying to find out the history here. The family has been in here since 1860 and had this house built in 1880. But there is no record written or oral about the foundation in the front yard. It is all under ground so no one knew it was there.

That is so killer... And you are very lucky to be sitting on top of history like that...
What's great is...
You do not need permission to dig it.
Now...
GET BACK OUSIDE AND DIG !
And post your finds...
We are waiting to see what you are gonna find...



PS> If it were me... I would be getting fresh flashlight batteries right now :P

 

[VaNana]

View attachment 1200202

This is the lock from a Brown Bess.

Your example is of course missing the cock, but note the similarity in the frizzen, the position of the hardware, and the nipple taper on the lock plate, on what would be the butt end of the musket.

That does look like a match. Thank you so much! Now I will have to study up on Brown Bess.

 

[VaNana]

That is so killer... And you are very lucky to be sitting on top of history like that...
What's great is...
You do not need permission to dig it.
Now...
GET BACK OUSIDE AND DIG !
And post your finds...
We are waiting to see what you are gonna find...



PS> If it were me... I would be getting fresh flashlight batteries right now :P

Then the neighbors would know I was crazy!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

That might be the best front yard find I've seen in a long time!