Futile Efforts Yield Meager Results

[Steve in PA]

After a promising spot did not pan out as expected and a door knock on a suspected Rev War era settlers fort site received a "let me think about it and talk to wife" I was resigned to chase iffy signals at pounded sites again. The highlight being the one piece eagle artillery in crappy condition.



Front and back of the artillery button. You can barely see the A on the shield,




Other buttons and an oil lamp wick adjuster with an 1865 patent date



I also found a brass handled American Knife pocket knife (top). These are often found in Civil War camps. I found the one on the bottom on a Civil War site in West Virginia.



Hopefully I can come up with some more "post worthy" material over the Thanksgiving holidays - weather and landowners permitting

 

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[Vino]

I hate when I get the, (let me think about response )! Nice way to say no.
I do like the 1 piece eagle, and the 2 pronged fork..
Hope you get on a good one over the holiday.

 

[Steve in PA]

I hate when I get the, (let me think about response )! Nice way to say no.
I do like the 1 piece eagle, and the 2 pronged fork..
Hope you get on a good one over the holiday.

Thanks George, have a Happy Thanksgiving and good luck if you get out!

 

[bonepicker]

Bummer on the LMTAIAATW answer. Looks like you had a great hunt . Those are some nice buttons.
Really liking that artillery button as well. That sucker looks real familiar.
Like Vino said, that answer was prob a nice way to say no, but I would give it a week or so, and go back and ask one more time .

 

[Steve in PA]

Bummer on the LMTAIAATW answer. Looks like you had a great hunt . Those are some nice buttons.
Really liking that artillery button as well. That sucker looks real familiar.
Like Vino said, that answer was prob a nice way to say no, but I would give it a week or so, and go back and ask one more time .

Thanks BP. I knocked on the door with a copy of a book on local forts in my hand. I asked the guy if he had ever seen the book before. I could tell by the befuddled look on his face that he hadn't. I said "well according to this book, there was a Rev War settler's fort in your horse pasture". He had never heard that, but when I explained what I do and offered to share the finds with him, he said "anything you find on my property belongs to me". To which I replied, "that's OK as long as I can get pictures". He took my business card and wrote down the name of the book, and said that they would be moving the horse out of the pasture soon and he would get back to me if he decided to let me in.

 

[against the wind]

Sorry to hear about your disappointment but for me,, the post is very educational

 

[Jason H.]

That looks like a fun hunt to me, Steve. The Eagle A is a great highlight, and I like the iron fork!

 

[Captain Caveman]

That's still a nice button. Hopefully next trip will be more fruitful!

 

[Showtime2385]

Congrats on some good digs, Sometimes the best things are found from iffy signals.

 

[Old Dude]

I really hate it when an owner gives me an answer like that. I'd much rather have them give me a definitive " no " than an answer that keeps you coming back a couple times and then you get the no. Good luck over the next few days!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Steve - I recently found a couple pieces similar to the knife parts in your last pic, but didn't have a clue as to what they were. Now I know - thanks. Can you date these?

 

[ironhorse]

I hear ya, the "let me think about it" response usually translates to p-f-o !
The old beat sites usually get tired pretty quick once youre there, a new sites just dont come around like they used to years ago; best of luck finding that honeyhole on your next time out!

 

[Steve in PA]

Steve - I recently found a couple pieces similar to the knife parts in your last pic, but didn't have a clue as to what they were. Now I know - thanks. Can you date these?

View attachment 1239743

Bill,
These brass handled pocket knives with the name in a channel on the handle are Civil War period. Check page 65 of Crouch's book. The one on the bottom in my pic was found on a union skirmish line in WV among a bunch of Spencer casings. I have seen others posted that came from CW camps.

 

[Garrett424]

I wouldn't use the word "futile" at all.
You have some cool old stuff. Looks like a nice hunt to me.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Thanks BP. I knocked on the door with a copy of a book on local forts in my hand. I asked the guy if he had ever seen the book before. I could tell by the befuddled look on his face that he hadn't. I said "well according to this book, there was a Rev War settler's fort in your horse pasture". He had never heard that, but when I explained what I do and offered to share the finds with him, he said "anything you find on my property belongs to me". To which I replied, "that's OK as long as I can get pictures". He took my business card and wrote down the name of the book, and said that they would be moving the horse out of the pasture soon and he would get back to me if he decided to let me in.

I know everyone is different, and that no one method will work on everyone, for that matter no method at all will work on some. That said I believe that "too much information" is often a bad thing. I don't reveal what I may know unless "they" bring it up first.

In any case don't dewell on the negative, as it is bound to happen, just too bad it was a site with great potential. I guess since he wants it all anyway I'd forget it, and move on. Hey you at least got out, and made some finds. Better luck is coming.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Bill,
These brass handled pocket knives with the name in a channel on the handle are Civil War period. Check page 65 of Crouch's book. The one on the bottom in my pic was found on a union skirmish line in WV among a bunch of Spencer casings. I have seen others posted that came from CW camps.

Thanks Steve. I didn't realize these knife parts were that old although I did find an 1858 FE cent and an 18th century pewter button there. I'm giving the owner all the finds from this small yard site, and she'll be tickled to know these pieces are CW era.

 

[Steve in PA]

I know everyone is different, and that no one method will work on everyone, for that matter no method at all will work on some. That said I believe that "too much information" is often a bad thing. I don't reveal what I may know unless "they" bring it up first.

In any case don't dewell on the negative, as it is bound to happen, just too bad it was a site with great potential. I guess since he wants it all anyway I'd forget it, and move on. Hey you at least got out, and made some finds. Better luck is coming.

I hear you Rick, but I've used that book to get on several other properties and even gave a copy to one guy. A lot of people are receptive if you tell them some history of their property that they don't know.

 

[pepperj]

I like the little knife.

Getting one of those responses a person might as well say it a no go, but then again maybe he'll soften up and let you into the pasture. He'll probably just follow you around watching everything that come out of the hole, and it would be a lot iron if somebody watched over my shoulder.

 

[sutphin]

REALLY NICE FINDS YOU HAVE THERE STEVE .....

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Still a good hunt! Congrats!
Maybe if you mention names of neighbors where you have hunted, it may persuade him to say yes.
Variety is the spice of life, if you were finding rare relics all the time it would get boring after a while. He may say yes after all.