✅ SOLVED Metal shard w/ scrollwork dug in VA

[SHF]

Okay. This is my first post on here (although I've been here researching many times). So, hello.

My husband and I own a 43 acre farm in between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers of Virginia. We have started metal detecting the farm (it was sort of a no-brainier). Even though we are rural out here, there has been lots of human activity in this area since the 17th century.

So, these are pictures of our first curious find. It has faded but definite scrollwork, it was brass, and it looks like it was originally flat. Any ideas? We would appreciate any illumination this esteemed group can offer.
Thanks!

(Sorry about the shadow. I was trying to provide as much light as possible.)

 

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[SHF]

My husband cleaned it up a little...

 

[taz42o]

It is part of a buttplate from a rifle or shotgun. Flintlock or percussion.

 

[taz42o]

Here is a similar one posted a while back.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/532486-part-old-stirrup.html?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Taz42o is right. More specifically, I believe it is a partially-broken (and bent) brass buttplate from a 1700s flintlock musket. It is similar to the one on a British "Brown Bess" musket, but this one isn't from a Bess. The "scrollwork" on yours suggests it is from a Civilian musket, rather than a Military-issue one.

The tab with a small hole through it was for attaching the buttplate to the musket's stock. The wide flat part of yours has been bent upward 180-degrees from its original orientation. Compare it with this photo of an intact Brown Bess buttplate.

Also, you can see the buttplate's location on the musket at lower left in the attached chart of Brown Bess gunparts.

 

[BosnMate]

Totally agree with Cannonballguy. It has been bent very badly in the wrong direction, and I don't know why the cast brass didn't break.

 

[SHF]

Hey thanks!

You're all correct. The piece has definitely been bent in the wrong direction. We can see metal stress marks at the bend.

Makes me wonder about the event that caused such forceful destruction. But I suppose I'd better not let my imagination get ahead of me. I still have 42+ acres to go...

SHF

 

[SHF]

One more thought...the violence or force used to tear the metal apart and bend it...means there are probably other pieces in the vicinity...correct? (I'm thinking in terms of an explosion...etc.)

 

[BosnMate]

If the barrel burst when firing, it wouldn't cause that kind of damage to the butt plate. Now let your imagination run wild, the guy is in a fire fight, he's fired his musket and doesn't have time to reload. It's a civilian musket and he doesn't have a bayonet, so he uses his musket for a club. Or, he was very unfortunate, and he was hit by a cannon ball. It could be any number of things, he could have needed a pry bar more than a musket, but I like the first one the best. That said, yes there could be any number of other musket parts in the area. I'd sure keep looking, and dig everything. Don't discriminate out the iron. The musket would have a couple of brass ram rod pipes and a brass entry thimble, and probably a brass trigger guard. The barrel, lock and trigger would be iron, and there is a possibility of a brass or coin silver thumb piece on the wrist. Good luck. keep us posted on what you find.

 

[SHF]

If the barrel burst when firing, it wouldn't cause that kind of damage to the butt plate. Now let your imagination run wild, the guy is in a fire fight, he's fired his musket and doesn't have time to reload. It's a civilian musket and he doesn't have a bayonet, so he uses his musket for a club. Or, he was very unfortunate, and he was hit by a cannon ball. It could be any number of things, he could have needed a pry bar more than a musket, but I like the first one the best. That said, yes there could be any number of other musket parts in the area. I'd sure keep looking, and dig everything. Don't discriminate out the iron. The musket would have a couple of brass ram rod pipes and a brass entry thimble, and probably a brass trigger guard. The barrel, lock and trigger would be iron, and there is a possibility of a brass or coin silver thumb piece on the wrist. Good luck. keep us posted on what you find.

Outstanding!

Thanks again everyone.
"I'll be back."

SHF

 

[sutphin]

WELCOME NEW MEMBER,NEAT FIND....

 

[SHF]

Thank you. We're ridiculously excited, and can't wait to get back out there.

And technically, I'm Mrs. SHF. My husband is the one who registered as SHF. We're sharing the acct. I realize no one gives a hoot, but I tend to be a precise person. ��

Mrs. SHF