My Best Relic Find

[bigfootokie]

I've had the opportunity in the last 5 weeks to hunt an amazing spot 4 different times which has givin up a lot of mid 1800's military relics. These are VERY unusual and rarely found relics in my part of the country and I feel very privileged to have been able to make these finds. I have always wanted to find a personal item from a CW era soldier and now I have made a recovery that is better than what I could imagine.

This is a hand carved "Grizzly Bear Head" fashioned from a bullet or "camp lead". This relic is one of my top 5 finds in my 44 years of detecting.

These pics are from the same hunt. The far right cone shaped find is part of a coffee bean grinder. Thought that was pretty cool too.

Thanks for looking!

 

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[SCdigger]

In my VERY humble opinion, it's just melted camp lead that HAPPENS to look like a bear.

 

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[bigfootokie]

Thanks guys...It's still a very cool find to me.

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks guys...It's still a very cool find to me.

Good attitude, no-one likes giving bad news (& none of us are bashing like we sometimes get accused of), but on here we like the truth/facts, it's what we argue about most I can see why you thought it, it's crossed my mind so many times when I dig lead, Dad often see things

 

[Valley Ranger]

Yes, I agree - that's pretty cool.

 

[John Boy]

Nice assortment man.congrats

 

[bigfootokie]

Good attitude, no-one likes giving bad news (& none of us are bashing like we sometimes get accused of), but on here we like the truth/facts, it's what we argue about most I can see why you thought it, it's crossed my mind so many times when I dig lead, Dad often see things

Good attitude would be an understatement for me. I am 57 years old and started detecting at 13 years. Have gone through all the normal hobbies most of us do in a lifetime, but I always have enjoyed detecting more than anything else. It's been a great pleasure to have taught around 200 folks to detect since 1983 and I am always amazed at what we all find. Digging up history is a very special hobby which I feel blessed to be able to still do. I dig my share of junk and Zincolns too...but the rewards when they have come in my life have been phenominal in my world...like a Viking strap end, or a Roman Carausius coin, both from East Anglia UK, and the hammerd silver coins are a special thrill too.

In my area of the USA, the mid to late 1800's coins are rare and hard to find so they are always a prize. I am just beginning to find some great relics within a couple hours drive so a new chapter is beginning for me. Can't wait to see what me and my buddies recover next.

Thanks for everyone's input and nice replies. ( I still think it's a bear)

 

[CRUSADER]

Good attitude would be an understatement for me. I am 57 years old and started detecting at 13 years. Have gone through all the normal hobbies most of us do in a lifetime, but I always have enjoyed detecting more than anything else. It's been a great pleasure to have taught around 200 folks to detect since 1983 and I am always amazed at what we all find. Digging up history is a very special hobby which I feel blessed to be able to still do. I dig my share of junk and Zincolns too...but the rewards when they have come in my life have been phenominal in my world...like a Viking strap end, or a Roman Carausius coin, both from East Anglia UK, and the hammerd silver coins are a special thrill too.

In my area of the USA, the mid to late 1800's coins are rare and hard to find so they are always a prize. I am just beginning to find some great relics within a couple hours drive so a new chapter is beginning for me. Can't wait to see what me and my buddies recover next.

Thanks for everyone's input and nice replies. ( I still think it's a bear)

I don't have the experience you have but I did start at 11 & I'm trying to catch you up, in terms of years & hours, maybe 1 day!!
(not giving away my age)

 

[thrillathahunt]

Hey Jim, looks like a bear to me too....but what do I know? That's my kind of stuff you found there. Good hunt!

 

[Tnmountains]

Nice relics. I would have to say that is was cast and not carved also. Looks like you are on a good site too. Thanks for sharing and good luck!

 

[Alarmadillo]

I like the bear, and would be proud to have found it.

I think your best find, though, is the multi-groove Sharps bullet. Not a common bullet.

Thanks for sharing your finds. You've got a great spot, and good luck on finding more.

 

[bigfootokie]

Hey Jim, looks like a bear to me too....but what do I know? That's my kind of stuff you found there. Good hunt!

I know little about relics...and even less about bears. But I'm learning. Thanks for the nice reply!

 

[bigfootokie]

I like the bear, and would be proud to have found it.

I think your best find, though, is the multi-groove Sharps bullet. Not a common bullet.

Thanks for sharing your finds. You've got a great spot, and good luck on finding more.

Thanks man! That Sharp's really made my day...was my first ever and it's in very good condition.

 

[Erik in NJ]

I don't have the experience you have but I did start at 11 & I'm trying to catch you up, in terms of years & hours, maybe 1 day!!
(not giving away my age)

Crusader, it's amazing what you do find with just 5 years of detecting under your belt! Regarding this comment I guess you'll just have to "grin and bear" it!

 

[oldsalty19]

 

[CRUSADER]

Crusader, it's amazing what you do find with just 5 years of detecting under your belt! Regarding this comment I guess you'll just have to "grin and bear" it!

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

I also think it is melted lead splatter. I also think it is the coolest piece of melted lead platter I have ever seen. I absolutely see a bear, the resemblance to me is uncanny. It would be a keeper in my book, man-made or not. Cool find

 

[Gunrunner61]

Congrats on the Killer finds................................................HH......................Love the bear head................

 

[Wildcat1750]

Lots of great items there. I especially like the General Service Button and bullets.
Nick

 

[Owassokie]

bigfootokie,
My opinion is that it's hand carved. Too many details to be an 'elephant in the sky. Of course, this is just an opinion. You've handled these replies better than most would. People tend to present their opinion's as if they were there when an item was created/lost. No one here knows for fact whether or not it was carved. Actually, your opinion would hold the most weight since you have it in-hand and it sounds like you have more experience than most of the people replying. I wouldn't let the opinions dissuade you from keeping it as one of your top finds.

Our part of the country is much tougher to make good discoveries. When I look through "Today's Finds", I always look for people in the Kansas/Oklahoma/Texas area. It's not often that people here in Oklahoma post about finds. It's kind of depressing to see all the great finds that people in other regions find. Sometimes they find more silver in a day then I'll find all year!

Owassokie

 

[got2dig]

Not trying to jump your thead but here are is some of my lead finds.
Your thread made me look at my lead. The bear is cool.
This has got me going over all my lead, and I have got some cool stuff let's see if you guys see what I do.