New finds today from Wabash Erie Canal Ghost town need ID

[GranvilleATPro]

Hi,
I'm fairly new to the relic finds and want to learn what I have. I've researched this Winter and found just down the street from me the Wabash Erie Canal town circa 1830's 1870's. I have pinpointed as least 100+ lots in this ghost town and currently started working the first lot today that is in a 10 acre field...hit a tons of square nails and lots of iron, so I knew I was on to something...managed to squeeze out these items...
An Eagle button, a flat button with what appears what looks to be an arrow and I can make out a letter R, but have no clue what it for or its age, the shot shell I found is a U.M.C. CO No 10 CLUB, circa 1885...and something I have no idea what it is, appears to be half of something, but I found it interesting since it has markings on it that remind me of the markings you see on the back of silverware. Looks to be an Axe and a maybe an Anchor? Here are the pics...I'd appreciate any input....thanks in advance...

 

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[Mud Hut]

It looks like the twisted remains of a dust cover from the keyhole of an old padlock.

 

[reale bill]

Probably a piece of plated silverware handle off a spoon or fork

 

[duggap]

It looks like the twisted remains of a dust cover from the keyhole of an old padlock.

I think it is a key hole cover also. The flat button should date from 1790 to about 1830. Nice finds, really like your eagle button. Good luck and keep at it.

 

[aka da Prof]

I see your in IN. --Off the thread, just a quick question----can you tell me if THing is allowed on state land? I heard it isn't, but gold panning is--

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

The metalsmith "hallmarks" on your mystery-object mean it is definitely the handle section a spoon or other eating-utensil. Although it does resemble a lock's keyhole cover, that type of object does not have hallmarks.

Your brass 1-piece flatbutton has indented lettering, which means it dates from about 1810 to about 1840. I can see the letters ORA in its backmark, which is part of the word orange, referring to the gold gilt's color.

As you may already know, your eagle button is a US Army Enlisted-men's "general service" button. The particular version you found was issued from 1854 to 1874. Because multi-millions of them were manufactured during the civil war years, with lots of "leftovers" at the end of the war, there was little need to make more of them afterward... so yours was almost certainly manufactured before 1866.

 

[GranvilleATPro]

I see your in IN. --Off the thread, just a quick question----can you tell me if THing is allowed on state land? I heard it isn't, but gold panning is--

As far as I know all state land is off limits to use a metal detector, "except on a sand, swimming beach as approved by an authorized representative".

 

[GranvilleATPro]

Thanks to all for the info on my finds. The time periods you've indicated definitely puts me in the era of this ghost town. There are multiple land owners covering the old plat of the town and I've got permission for about 2/3 of it so far. Lots of adventures in the future. There are two known canal warehouses I've pinpointed that will prove interesting once I get that far. I'm working the perimeter before moving closer to the canal. I'm sure I will have more I can post in the future and will surely need your assistance in identifying as I find. HH

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I agree a spoon with possible psuedo hallmarks. Test for silver. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/330959-silver-need-help-hallmarks.html