Lightning Strikes Twice - 3rd AMERICAN Regiment

Patriot Relics

Silver Member
Feb 6, 2014
3,709
5,614
Lowcountry, South Carolina / Richmond, Virginia
🥇 Banner finds
5
Detector(s) used
CTX-3030, Deus XP II
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Hey guys,

I am still riding the high from last week's South Carolina revolutionary war button, a perfect 3rd Regiment of Rangers. Got back out this evening and figured I'd give the site another sweep, just to make sure I didn't miss any targets. After about an hour of grid work and 0 signals, I figured I got it all. With another hour to kill, I said to myself...if I was shooting at someone from this position with a musket, where would I be. After all, I did find a lottery button and a USA there, which reflects at least 3 different soldiers. There was really only one position that would make sense, a small section where the coast jutted out. So I walked about 200 yards and starting swinging, musket ball...musket ball...and then the CTX made the 12-20 tone I had been waiting for. Flipped the plug and holy $#%@ its marked.

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Initially only saw the 3 and thought I might have another SC, but quickly recognized the crown and 3rd American as the "other" 3rd...the New York Volunteers (loyalist) 3rd American Regiment. These guys were raised in NY in 1776 as part of General Howe's army, and eventually ended up in Florida in October 1778 with Sir Henry Clinton. They worked their way through Savanna, eventually took Charleston in April 1780. It's nothing short of crazy that I've stumbled on an undocumented skirmish site, that ultimately resulted in the surrender of the SC 3rd Regiment of Rangers to the Loyalist 3rd American Regiment. What are the chances of digging 2, 3rd Regiment buttons, both made up of American colonists...and on opposite sides of the crown in little over a week :laughing7:

Careful cleaning revealed museum quality condition...I am speechless with this one.

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Here's a ruff one from Don's book

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2019 is certainly shaping up to be my best year detecting and we are barely into February. Holding these 2 buttons side by side is nothing short of incredible. As always thanks for looking and good luck swinging this weekend.

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Added a group shot of the best buttons from the site, and final wax coat now that it's dry.

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Upvote 60
Just dripping with history
Great hunt
 

As my 4 year old nephew used to say...THWEET!
 

Hopefully some day I can get into the "In" group & get an invite to Savannah or drive down & find my own , even a Merc would make the trip worth it .

I really thought that Button was Brass , amazing that Pewter stood up to time & won.
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Thanks for the banner nod Dave, suspect higher lead content and higher quality construction given a late war button. Lots of folks vacation done here to dig, but always nice to keep the history local.
 

Fantastic find buddy. You're on a roll this year for sure! Congrats and banner vote from me. The history on that thing is amazing.
 

Fantastic find buddy. You're on a roll this year for sure! Congrats and banner vote from me. The history on that thing is amazing.

Thanks Ryan, little by little we are piecing the story together on our little site. One of these days you or I are going to find a plate.
 

wow and in extremely great condition
 

That's what it's all about! You're to the point where you can't ask for much more. Great history and condition.
 

That's what it's all about! You're to the point where you can't ask for much more. Great history and condition.

Thanks IP, took a ton of hunts from my first post of a 3rd Buffs button 5 years ago (with no idea what it was) to a pair of 3rds last month. Couldn't be happier with perhaps the finest example of the 16mm 3rd American.
 

That's what it's all about! You're to the point where you can't ask for much more. Great history and condition.

You called it, scans sent to Don as the only/best example of the 16mm variety. Should make the updated print...now time to dig another one.
 

Great narration. What a find twice. Beautiful pictures and great history.
 

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