Italian Starter Pistol (April 24 2025)

[UnderMiner]

Was searching an old sports field when I got the same signal as an aluminum soda can, dug it expecting exactly that, but instead found a blank-firing Italian starter pistol (was about 4 inches down). It looks like a real revolver but the barrel is fake, was just a noise maker. It's seized now but back in the day the cylinder would have opened out the side and you could then load in .22 blanks. It's made from some sort of pot metal painted black.

Also found this brass ornament nearby, probably from a belt or that metal part of a bolo tie:

I saw a really old tree that had fallen over and decided to detect the root ball, ended up digging three 100+ yo wheat cents, they were from 1910,1912, and 1919, a high tone near them was just a pull tab and not the silver coin I expected:

And last find was this small sealed brass case. I think it's a cosmetic case. Haven't opened it yet but there's something rattling around inside, probably nothing valuable though:

 

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[E-Trac-Ohio]

Very nice finds !

 

[DizzyDigger]

And last find was this small sealed brass case. I think it's a cosmetic case. Haven't opened it yet but there's something rattling around inside, probably nothing valuable though:

What's "rattling around" inside is a coin. It was very common for girls to carry a coin or two in their makeup compact in case a phone call was needed.

 

[pepperj]

Cool starters pistol. I've dug those little. 22 cal blanks in the past.
It's always fun to dream of what's inside those little containers.
Dried makeup, glass mirror pieces, seeds, and sometimes money. (Once) rusted tin clasp container.
4 large cents and 4 paper trolley stubs.
So best of luck-hope it's a treasure.

 

[oldmxrat]

Very cool finds, congrats!