Special Hunt with Dad! Buttons, gold, bullets, shells, hardee hat pin!

Well I was off T-Net for a week while my parents visited from New York to attend my retirement ceremony… I spend over 24 years in the Air Force and now I’m ready to start a new career.  It was a great visit, but the highlight was getting my dad out to detect here with me at one of our hunting spots. 

Dad taught me to detect in the 70s and he’s been at it ever since.  But he is a coin hunter and seldom into relics, and I was hoping to put him on some buttons…

Wingman Tony joined us and we spent about six hours tearing this place up.

Here is Tony and my Dad doing some extreme detecting…



The day was great… great weather, and great sunshine.  But when Tony dug the very first Hardee Hat Pin (piece), also known as the Jeff Davis hat pin, the day became perfect!  It’s a first for either of us and unexpected!  Here is a picture of his find with an example of a whole pin.  This proved to be the find of the day! 



More pictures of the proud Wingman Tony with his pin!



Dad wasn’t far behind with a cool find and a first for him, a .50-70 shell casing (1870s – 1890s).  I was happy that at least he wouldn’t get skunked! That smile made my week!



I continued to find piles of trash (relics) while Tony decided to find an eagle “I” infantry button, and lounge around to make it look real easy.



My Dad detecting in “Big Sky” Country.



Gold!  Not to be outdone by anyone, which usually happens, I did find the first gold to come from this area.  It’s a little-tiny-teeny-weenie locket lid or cover. 

Note to KirkPA:  Found by a bounty hunter with a four inch coil – actual depth was six inches below surface, seven inches below coil, with a solid & repeatable iron reading. 



Wingman Tony of course found another eagle button… and there was much rejoicing.



Here is Tony, my Dad, and I ready to look at our detecting loot after a great day… you see I’m not smiling cause except for the invisible gold thingy - I found nothing to brag about.



Here is Tony’s stuff…  He also found a pile of loose shoulder scales and part of the board for a shoulder board… awesome!!  Lots of iron, three eagle buttons, a buckle, the Hardee Hat pin. He had a fantastic day… 



Here are my Dad’s keepers… a great three-ringer, a better Maxi, and a miscellaneous pistol bullet, two .50-70 and one .45-70 shells, and a shoulder board scale.  He also dug a knapsack rivet and a work cloths button (not an eagle – but it is an era button). I think he  found a good pile of iron and roofing tin too… but I never saw any.  He says its better then clad on a playground – or, maybe I said that.    Either way it was great hunting with him! 



And finally my stuff…   

One the blue is a lantern top, an officer’s shoulder board piece, and a few shells. 

One the Green should be some obvious gharbahge with a cool squared piece of lead… a game piece? 

One the red is the rest. 

[Great post and pics, Jim!]

Great post and pics, Jim!

So now we see who you got your good looks from, Jim!  ;)

Great post! Congrats to all for those SUPER finds!!

                         Nana

Look like a great day for all, nice selection of different items,  Congrats

Jim, I must admit, I am not much of a relic dude, but when I see your threads, I always click on them. They are always a joy to read. You take awesome pics, bud. It felt like I was with you guys the entire time.

Note to Bigboy Jim: KirkPA is proud of your deep-seeking Bounty Hunter. ;)

P.S. Hmmmm...Tony has headphones now! Did I convince you dudes? ;)

Perfect day!!

That's cool!  I love all the pic's!  Seeing all the pic's makes me feel like I was there too!  But I didn't find anything ~ I SUCK! LOL

Beautiful post Jim. What a great memory making opportunity for you to be able to hunt with your dad. I love it when people post  actual pics of the area they have hunted. Brings a true realism to the finds....which by the way were great. Thanks for sharing your hunting day!

That's a heck of a relic and button haul for one day, even with 3 hunters!

Is the site you're hunting an old cavalry campground?  Site of an old fort?  If you can say anything about it..

I've heard of Winchester lever-actions chambered for .45-70 and maybe some Sharps buffalo rifles in that caliber, too.  Had not heard of a .50-70 until now.  What rifles were chambered for that round?

This must be Talk About Cartridges Day.  I checked out a .38-55 for a White's guy in Canada who found one.  Some Winchesters were chambered for those.

Thanks for the great pics and story.

KirtPA, I have to tell-ya.  We never use the phones unless it's -10 (must line with fur inserts) or the hawks a-blowin.  It never made a difference with the BH, which I used as well up until this summer.  I do admit I read your advice on the phones, and the hawk was out that day, so I buckled down.  Did it make a difference?  I found our 1st HHP at 3" which the BH would have found as well.  I did look cool doing it though with the "gray Ghost" on.  GL&HH.  WT   

Welcome to the forum, Tony. It is about time! LMAO I find that using headphones has increased my ability to find those deeeep targets. Plus, the privacy is the best. Your buddy, Jim, won't be able to know what kind of signal you are getting. Hmmmm...if Jim knows you are getting signals, he will infiltrate your area, right? LOL You don't want that! hahaha

HH!

Great story guys.  Can't wait till my boys get big enough to start going with me. 

Hey Jim that is a BEAUTIFUL Jeff Davis Hat Pin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Great Job, awesome hunt, your friend dug a GREAT keeper... You dug some nice relics...your dad found some nice relics...what more can you ask for ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)    I really like those shoulder scale umm SCALES HAHA ;)  Nice job Jim!!   Are you sure that that Eagle Button that your friend Tony found isn't a Eagle "D" Dragoons Button.  It almost looks like part of the "D" has been pushed down by ground action.  But it really does look like a Eagle "D" to me.

Great collection of relics found there. Way to go!

Jim,
Fantastic post as usual. Your best find was finding time to spend with your Dad.
Tony has become quite the hunter. He can even lie down and detect. That takes some real skill to do! 
Congrats on your finds guys.
By the way, who's Jeff Davis?    Sammy's brother?
-MM-

Another gorgeous day in Montana, eh Zesty?   

Your posts make the best reading...and the best eye candy.    I'm so glad you, Tony, and your dad got to do some relic hunting.....and I'm glad you took us along, again! 

Hi Tony!!   



PS....what's with the copstache?  You applying for police work? 

Jim that was a wonderful story you shared. The pics were great and so were the finds! It was great to share that special time with your dad and Tony       Mosey

This is a beautiful post, and it looks like everybody got a few keepers.  Great hunt, Jim.  Even though it was tiny, I bet it felt GREAT to pull some OLD GOLD out of the site.  Congrats!


Buckleboy

Is the site you're hunting an old cavalry campground?  Site of an old fort?  If you can say anything about it..

 

I've heard of Winchester lever-actions chambered for .45-70 and maybe some Sharps buffalo rifles in that caliber, too.  Had not heard of a .50-70 until now.  What rifles were chambered for that round?

Here is some reading... it'll get you there faster than I can explain with my limited knowledge... it was a government issue springfield... http://www.quarterbore.com/library/articles/5070.html

First of all Jim...Let me say congrat's and thank's for 24 year's of your service.I appreciate It!!!The find's are awesome as alway's and it was cool to see you're Dad got to tag along and see what the relic huntin' was all about,and some nice find's to boot.Look's like you all had a great day.Congrat's and HH!

Jim,
Congratulations on both a great detecting day with your father and wingman Tony and your retirement!

Thanks for the cool photos!



Ridley

Excellent post !  Thats an awesome pin ..the other peice must be close.Sure was cool to take your dad with you.My pa is an old detectorist from the 1970's too.Like your pa he also prefers the coins.I always show him buttons and badges etc from my favorite ww1 site but his eye never gets that treasure hunting gleam till I pull out a decent coin lol.Keep poundin' that site its a good one ! God Bless and HH...Panz

Neat finds and great pics Jim

Jim,
Great post! Congrats to all on those finds  ;)
Your dad looks like a sweetheart. So good you got to hunt with him. 6 years is a longgggggg time.
Congrats on your retirement!  Now you gonna just goof off?  cool 
Some one of these days I'm gonna see that Big Sky Country. Hopefully, it will be during the Perseid meteor showers 
Be well...

oops.......
Tony.............welcome

Jim let me say first and foremost thanks for serving our great country and congrats on your retirement.  I really enjoy your posts and this was one of the best. Thanks!  Tim.

Are you sure that that Eagle Button that your friend Tony found isn't a Eagle "D" Dragoons Button.  It almost looks like part of the "D" has been pushed down by ground action.  But it really does look like a Eagle "D" to me.

Tony... go home at lunch and take another look at that button dude!

Very nice pictures of big sky country as well. I'm sure there is a lot of history up there. You had better get all the diggin in you can as winter is knocking on your door!!

looks like you gents had a great day  thanks for serving and thanks for showing us your pics good luck and hh

Love looking at your post Handsome Jim    >> Looks like you guys had a great time.

wtg love them buttons!!still waiting for my first ones

[Great post and pics, Jim!]

Great post and pics, Jim!

awesome finds, for everyone love the story and pics. i've just bought a detector for my dad and he is going with me, sometimes, love the time with him!!

I call that a special day , great finds, family and friends ! and great pics  congrats  ;)

great post and finds Jim wtg, glad to see you could get out and detect with your dad
hh
dave+bobbie

nice c/w relics & nice post jim

 Congrats to y'all ! I got my Dad out today for some detectin also.First time in years,had to cut it short though as it was abit to much for him.

That is a great day with family and friends!! O yea and relics!!!

Jim,

This is a fantastic post, you couldn't  ask for anything better.  Beautiful day for detecting, awesome scenery, excellent finds.  Most of all, the best...hunting with Dad.

 ;) RR

Thaks everyone... and I mean EVEYONE!  There are too many responses here to thank you all!  My Dad saw the post and I had told him... it'll look way cooler in teh post then it acually was...    The truth is we cardley talked for six hours... we take our hunting time pretty seriously. But it really was a great day.

Hopefully dad and I can share some of those exerpeinces again soon... prolly on a trip to New York... I'll hafta do some research and find a great spot, unless he has one.  Somebody in his church has GOT to live someplace cool enough to go dig relics and trash on. 

Maybe I can sneak down to PA for a day and hunt with some of my T-Net friends form here... whatcha' say Mona Lisa? Kirk?  LOL   Can I trust you guys to play nice together?  No muffin throwing though Lisa... I wanna find some coppers! 

Be well everyone... I'm going on another hunt tomorrow morning with Wingman Tony and expect some more kewl trash-o-la!  Maybe the rest of that gold locket...

Thaks everyone... and I mean EVEYONE!  There are too many responses her to thank you!  My Dad saw the post and I had told him... it'll look way cooler in teh post then it acually was...    The truth is we cardley talked for six hours... we take our hunting time pretty seriously. But it really was a great day.

Hopefully dad and I can share some of those exerpeinces again soon... prolly on a trip to New York... I'll hafta do some research and find a great spot, unless he has one.  Somebody in his church has GOT to live someplace cool enough to go dig relics and trash on. 

Maybe I can sneak down to PA for a day and hunt with some of my T-Net friends form here... whatcha' say Mona Lisa? Kirk?  LOL   Can I trust you guys to play nice together?  No muffin throwing though Lisa... I wanna find some coppers! 

Be well everyone... I'm going on another hunt tomorrow morning with Wingman Tony and expect some more kewl trash-o-la!  Maybe the rest of that gold locket...

Hey Jim,I'm in upstate NY.so if your ever in the area i could take ya to find some old coppas ! My bud's boy (9) just found a 1788 Vermont coppa yesterday ! We are going to go find some more tomorrow.  ;)   

Thaks everyone... and I mean EVEYONE!  There are too many responses her to thank you!  My Dad saw the post and I had told him... it'll look way cooler in teh post then it acually was...    The truth is we cardley talked for six hours... we take our hunting time pretty seriously. But it really was a great day.

Hopefully dad and I can share some of those exerpeinces again soon... prolly on a trip to New York... I'll hafta do some research and find a great spot, unless he has one.  Somebody in his church has GOT to live someplace cool enough to go dig relics and trash on. 

Maybe I can sneak down to PA for a day and hunt with some of my T-Net friends form here... whatcha' say Mona Lisa? Kirk?  LOL   Can I trust you guys to play nice together?  No muffin throwing though Lisa... I wanna find some coppers! 

Be well everyone... I'm going on another hunt tomorrow morning with Wingman Tony and expect some more kewl trash-o-la!  Maybe the rest of that gold locket...

Hey Jim,I'm in upstate NY.so if your ever in the area i could take ya to find some old coppas ! My bud's boy (9) just found a 1788 Vermont coppa yesterday ! We are going to go find some more tomorrow.  ;)   

If I get back to NY... I'll do a post where maybe the Upstaters can put a big hunt together... that swould be awesome... or, I'll letcha know and we can go grab some coppers... I hear they grow 'em on trees there!

[/quote] Hey Jim,I'm in upstate NY.so if your ever in the area i could take ya to find some old coppas ! My bud's boy (9) just found a 1788 Vermont coppa yesterday ! We are going to go find some more tomorrow.  ;)   
[/quote]

If I get back to NY... I'll do a post where maybe the Upstaters can put a big hunt together... that swould be awesome... or, I'll letcha know and we can go grab some coppers... I hear they grow 'em on trees there!
[/quote] Sounds good !Ya might want to do it soon,or we be waitin till spring. ;) Oh and not on trees,more of a root crop like peanuts and rutabaga's Ya gotta dig em. 

Really enjoyable post and pics

Yes.  We most certainly need MORE hatpins!!!


SPECTACULAR HUNT, JIM   



 

-Buckles   

I always liked reading special posts like this...thanks for bringing back up, BB. 

  RR

Yes.  We most certainly need MORE hatpins!!!


SPECTACULAR HUNT, JIM   


-Buckles   

Thanks Will, Judie, and Nick... you guys are a bit of alright. 

That was a great day... thanks for the memories!   

Great Post!! Glad you got out with ur dad like that..

Any idea of the age of the site? I assume it had  to be an early Indian Wars location.. the relics all "look" Civil War period.. I guess with all the surplus they were still wearing the same things we find in Civil War site pretty late.. 1870s plus.. pretty cool!!

MB

[Great post and pics, Jim!]

Great post and pics, Jim!

I'll echo that , the back drop in the pictures is outstanding, a good hunt with great company

Awesome post,
Thanks for sharing the day with us,Very Special hunt.

                                                   Nova Treasure

Thanks all!

MB - Yes, early Indian Wars site... except for the brass and lead almost everything else is CW-like.  We've dug 150ish eagle buttons outta that place - I've lost count. 

Thanks all!

MB - Yes, early Indian Wars site... except for the brass and lead almost everything else is CW-like.  We've dug 150ish eagle buttons outta that place - I've lost count. 

Gotta love a site like that!!! Good work!

MB

Great post and pics MJ. 

nice finds!!!! I'm glad that you guys got out to hunt! I wish my dad would hunt with a metal detector. He's to lazy for our hobby. Glad your dad had fun!

     
        Hey Jim , what part of Montana are you in ? I used to live up there - Libby , Helena, Red Lodge.

         Cant wait to get back up there and put a coil on the ground .    Argentium.

Great Day Jim! Thanks for post all the pics! Nice finds by all!
  I also want to Thank You for your service!

     
        Hey Jim , what part of Montana are you in ? I used to live up there - Libby , Helena, Red Lodge.

         Cant wait to get back up there and put a coil on the ground .    Argentium.

I'm outta Great Falls... I hunt a pretty big area.

Jim...Glad I saw your post...Congrats on the retirement! Any time spent with dad is time well spent...  Now you need to make time to come down to Missouri and do a little detecting...Steve

Easy now, I thought he was stopping by Kentucky first.   

I have spent some time in pastures looking for eagle buttons, and I think that yours there is about as good as they get.

Have you ever found any small but deep trash pits around there?

Every time I see that pasture, I cannot stop seeing little trash pits all over it, and especially along the river.

Absolutly!  You're dead on plehbah...

There are maybe four or five historic "draws" that cut down to the river back in the day on the several properties I search there... I call them historic because they are long since filled in with trash.  There was a flood that tore through there (date withheld) and wiped out the banks which no doupt tons of awesome relic-trash with it.  I've dug some great bottles, iron and brass goodies, and obvious trash from what once was several garbage dumps that filled draws along the river. 

At one spot on the river there the army left an entire chuckwagon filled to the rafters with pots, pans, utensils and other associated goodies and supplies... I know folks who remembered the wagon rotting away for decades, well, at least till the floodwaters swept it away.  It's still rich in goodies and stuff...       

I wish he would turn the dang field... it's not been turned for almost 40 years!  Even today I bet I can go find three to five eagle buttons within one inch or on top of the ground. If it gets turned it would be heaven!

great pics and finds.  very nice,thanks for sharing.    peace,bigrig

great day out for all of you and doing it with dad makes it better wtg

Great finds, but Father and son = priceless!!!

Nice post Jim,story and pics are top notch!!!

Hey Tony...laying down on the job,eh?  LOL   Nice finds