My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - **NEW PICTURES - Cleaned Lock Plate**

[ModernMiner]

Folks,
I took off a bit early from work today to get in an afternoon hunt since they are calling for snow this weekend.
I re-hit the same area of the woods where I dug the flower button, Enfield bullet, musket balls, and melted lead last Saturday.
After about two hours I only had some rusty tool pieces and a Williams cleaner to show for my efforts. Just before it was time to call it quits, I got a solid signal right next to a small tree. As expected, there were numerous tree roots to battle before I could get at the piece. What I then pulled out of the hole I could not believe!!! It was part of an old rifle.
Here's a quick video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPj8AtDjunk

What kind I have no clue. This is the first CW lock plate I've ever found, and I'm hoping that one of you CW buffs can ID it.
This piece will be a very nice addition to my CW relic display.
You can bet your bippy (showing my age) I'll be pounding those woods again.

Any idea on the age of the axe or hatch head

Thanks for looking,
MM

 

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[vayank54]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

I think that is a springfield.

I believe it is too.

 

[pepperj]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Pretty cool find

 

[Hutch911]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Great finds! Nice lock plate that's one I am still looking for way to go!

 

[VOL1266-X]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

You know my guess on the lockplate since you sent me a pic before you posted. Nice find. I see a bail for an old fruit jar in the last pic. You got out while you could and that was smart as the weekend here and there in NC looks bleak for relic hunting. HH Doug.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Thanks everyone.
I think I'll run it through electrolysis to try to get some of the rust off of it. You can already see some of the original metal on one side so I hoping it won't take too much to clean it up a bit.
-MM-

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

You know my guess on the lockplate since you sent me a pic before you posted. Nice find. I see a bail for an old fruit jar in the last pic. You got out while you could and that was smart as the weekend here and there in NC looks bleak for relic hunting. HH Doug.

Thanks Q,
It looks like you were dead on again too. Thanks for always being there to ID my CW relics for me.
If you ever find a ChuckE Cheese token, I'm your man. Just call me.
Thanks buddy.
Now where is the rest of the rifle?
-Doug-

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Looks like an 1860s model Springfield lockplate to me. If you could clean point out where the holes are in the plate, it would help narrow down its ID--and it might give you some idea of where to look for a marking on the plate. I see one behind the hammer, and one large one just in front. Are there one or two holes on the narrow end of the plate?


That's a Fantastic find, my friend.



-Buckles

 

[seger98]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Nice finds Doug. Every time I watch one of your video clips I always wonder where your southern accent is? Are you not originally from there?


Chris

 

[Dman]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Awesome lock plate. That will make Q jealous.
Dman

 

[vayank54]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

It is an 1850's -60's springfield.

 

[peanut]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Thats awesome! I want one!

 

[vayank54]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Here's a pic of one I dug in the '80's It had been burnt and I found everything to the gun but the barrel. In front of the hammer is an Eagle with US below. Behind the hammer is SPRING FIELD 1852


I had to use a pistol bullet to hold the hammer up so I could scan it. Sorry about that.

 

[peanut]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Here's a pic of one I dug in the '80's It had been burnt and I found everything to the gun but the barrel. In front of the hammer is an Eagle with US below. Behind the hammer is Spring
Field
1852
I had to used a pistol bullet to hold the hammer up so I could scan it. Sorry about that.

Is that off a model 42 springfield? My reenacting musket is a model 1842 springfield and it looks alot like it. It is a 69 cal. smooth bore.

 

[vayank54]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

It has the date 1852 on it. I didn't find the barrel but from the barrel bands it looked like a .58

 

[nc-joe]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Holy Snikey Man!!! So are we going there this weekend?

 

[Ron P]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Doug,
Fantastic find! If you put it thru electrolysis you may see the manufactures name and date. I have a 1860's Springfield if you want to stop by and compare it.
Ron

 

[Brendoodl]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

That is a great find!!! the flat piece on the right side of the picture under the axe head that looks like a little axe is what? I went to an old homestead a couple of weeks ago and found two of them. No markings that I can read but interested in what it is.

 

[SkyPirate]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Way to go Doug! Keep looking, maybe you will find the rest of that gun!

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: My 1st Civil War Lock Plate !!!!! - ***VIDEO too***

Nice finds Doug. Every time I watch one of your video clips I always wonder where your southern accent is? Are you not originally from there?

Chris

Chris,
I'm a double agent. I'm a yankee (Indiana Hoosier) living in confederate territory. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Actually, I love it hear in NC. Great place to live, and super nice folks.
-Doug-

Way to go Doug! Keep looking, maybe you will find the rest of that gun!

Joe,
I hope so. That would be cool.
-Doug-

That is a great find!!! the flat piece on the right side of the picture under the axe head that looks like a little axe is what? I went to an old homestead a couple of weeks ago and found two of them. No markings that I can read but interested in what it is.

Looks like an old hatchet to me. I found a lot of old rusty tools (axes, hoes, etc.) in the area where I dig these CW relics.
-MM-

Holy Snikey Man!!! So are we going there this weekend?

I think I'll be building a snowman this weekend.
Thanks Joe.

Awesome lock plate. That will make Q jealous.
Dman

Thanks D.
You know I can't outdo Q. Every time I find something I think is rare, he has ten of them.
-Doug-