Post Your Favorite Military Find!!!

Love this stuff!

Looks to be an early military button.
One piece convex.

HERES MINE , 6TH REG OF FOOT THAT WAS STATIONED A LOWER FORT GARRY IN 1845

First off, I think the "Post your Best xxxxx" series was a great idea. I have just recently found them and have been having a great time browsing all of the 'Best' categories.

My contribution to the 'Favorite Military Find' forum may not be old, and not what you would expect to find on this particular thread. But, this item is truly my favorite found military item. I had posted this back in March in "The Barracks" forum. In that post I told the story of a WWII ID bracelet that I found 20 years ago and just recently was able to return it to the now 87 year-old soldier who it belonged to. Here is a link to that post: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,223116.0.html

I can't describe the feeling of honor and satisfaction in talking to this man and hearing him recount the days when he was in the military and of him fondly describing the bracelet.

So, someday I may find a cool military plate, or gun part to add here. But, even then, this will mostly likely remain my Favorite Military find.

Thanks for reading...

Brian in MA

Brain, what abouts are you in MA?
I'm in MA also

I'm in Wayland. About 20 miles west of Boston. I mostly hunt the metro-west Boston area.

Brian

I'm in Wayland. About 20 miles west of Boston. I mostly hunt the metro-west Boston area.

Brian

Is that near Wobern? Thats where my brother lives

Woburn is about 15 miles north of me....

Woburn is about 15 miles north of me....

Oh, I'm in northern central MA

I found the War of 1812 militia artillery officers sword belt plate in southern New York...the Finger Lakes area, Chemung county, at a cellar hole in the woods in 1998, along with a 1817 large cent and lots of flat buttons. I found the destroyed US buckle along the Oregon Trail in Soda Springs, Idaho...near Camp Connor, a civil war era military camp, also lots of minnie balls and eagle buttons...still has part of the leather belt because of the desert conditions! Everything found on private property with permission. Thanks for looking...Foiledagain

I found this Common Militia Waist Belt Plate back in November, 2006. It's on page six of the banner.

I found this Common Militia Waist Belt Plate back in November, 2006.

  I think we should wash your mouth out with Some Colonial soap after calling a find like that common. 

I found this when I started the restoration on my 1770s house. I was digging the cellar in preparation for a slab to be pored when I turned this over in a clod of dirt. I ended up finding all the brass from a knapsack and a few of the metal contents. Since it was in my house,, that just makes it a great find to me.

MonkeyBoy

Monkeyboy, that is sooo awesome. I would love to find somethin that personal. Is it from the civil war or older? Have you been able to track him down in any records?

Monkeyboy, that is sooo awesome. I would love to find somethin that personal. Is it from the civil war or older? Have you been able to track him down in any records?

Yes, it is Civil War and I was able to get the history of the man.. he lived through the war... settled back up in New England and lived until the 1890s if I remember correctly.. this is framed and hanging on the wallinmy house along with a bunch of other items I found when I gutted the house... they were camped in my town in the winter of 1862.. so I guess they stayed in any warm spot they could find!!

MB 

I found this when I started the restoration on my 1770s house. I was digging the cellar in preparation for a slab to be pored when I turned this over in a clod of dirt. I ended up finding all the brass from a knapsack and a few of the metal contents. Since it was in my house,, that just makes it a great find to me.

MonkeyBoy

What is it? 

I found this when I started the restoration on my 1770s house. I was digging the cellar in preparation for a slab to be pored when I turned this over in a clod of dirt. I ended up finding all the brass from a knapsack and a few of the metal contents. Since it was in my house,, that just makes it a great find to me.

MonkeyBoy

What is it? 

Sorry! It is a stencil with a soldier's name and unit.. used to mark his gear. 

MB

Extremely cool find! Military history is by far my favorite.

On May 2 1863, the day after the Confederates were defeated at the battle of Port Gibson, the Confederate Mississippi River battery at Grand Gulf fell into the hands of the Army of the Tennessee under Ulysses Grant . Grant had begun his campaign to take Vicksburg which lies 25 miles north.

I found this button on a bluff just south of Grand Gulf. On the internet I found the emblem to be the State seal of Wisconsin. I recently purchased "98 Days" by Warren Grabau, a book which details Grant's Vicksburg campaign. In it I found a passage that stated Grant dispatched 4 regiments from General Lauman's corps (which were then stationed in Memphis) to garrison Grand Gulf. One regiment was from Wisconsin, the 12th Wisconsin Volunteer infantry. I found a website dedicated to the 12th Wisconsin. On the website are letters and diaries from men in the regiment. The following is an excerpt from a letter sent by Sergeant Frank H. Putny to his father.

Letter of
Sergeant Frank H. Putney, Company G.

Grand Gulf, Mississippi     May 22nd, 1863

When we were ordered here we came with the full expectation of marching to the front, and taking a hand in the big game being played before Vicksburg. But as it to confirm our previous experience, after waiting here two days, orders came for our Brig. to remain as a garrison to the place. We are camped on the bluff south of the old rebel fortifications in a very cool, airy, place, the best we have had in months, and are well content to stay.

While this badge is not military in itself, the story behind it makes it my most favorite find since I started detecting 35 years ago.
 It is a Fireman's badge from the fire engine "Spiggot" in Methuen, Mass. The Spiggot was in service from 1842-1871.
 It belonged to a member of the 4th Mass. Heavy Artillery. He was captured at Spotsylvania in May, 1864 and sent to Andersonville prison where he died in July of the same year. I found it about 20 miles from the prison at an old home site. There were prison Guards that lived in the area.
 I believe the guard may have taken it from him or maybe he traded it for food.

Hey Iron Patch, thanks for the pst regarding my old hunting partner Rick Dufour. The 89''ths all came out of a very small lot at the back of a church.  Believe it or not, there is another guy down here who has found more 89'ths than Rick did. He too has given away all kinds of them.  Rick's passing has left a definite void in the small relic hunting circle of southwestern ontario but a few of his close friends are still hitting his favorite haunts with great success so his legacy lives on.

It's my fave, not that I've found a lot of military goods...so this is all I gots:)

I have huge collection of coins.But don't know the century. 
spam 

Revolutionary War Royal Highland Emigrants cartridge pouch plate....best I got!

Good thread! Hope to see some more goodies.

Revolutionary War Royal Highland Emigrants cartridge pouch plate....best I got!

Good thread! Hope to see some more goodies.

Here's my best one. Also with thistle.
Washington Light Infantry of Charleston

Mine doesn't compare (in value) to any of yours.   But I consider it my best.   (Yes, I have dug confederate buttons and 2 nice
plates, when stationed in the States.)
This was found in South Korea, the first year I took my detector to Korea.   In fact, this was found the first hunt that I made,
being stationed at Camp Casey, Korea.
Was over the hill from TongDuChon (TDC) above a small village.   Was hunting by a rice paddy, a little cleared ground.   First
found a small dime-sized Korean silver coin.   Then, got a signal.   Dug it, and there was a small chain with several items still
hooked to the chain.   On the chain was a key, some other item that I have forgotten what it was, and a nice small magnifying
glass......and on the glass was the medic emblem.   I had found an item dropped by an American soldier during the Korean War.
That find has stuck in my mind to this day.......wish I could have know it's story.

1st: Cannonball with lis flower (about 25pounds)
2th: Cap Badge 76th
3th: 74th Pin

Good memories!

1st: Cannonball with lis flower (about 25pounds)
2th: Cap Badge 76th
3th: 74th Pin

Good memories!

   Great stuff!!!   I also have a French ball, a 12 pounder. 

1st: Cannonball with lis flower (about 25pounds)
2th: Cap Badge 76th
3th: 74th Pin

Good memories!

   Great stuff!!!   I also have a French ball, a 12 pounder. 

I can't wait to get my first cannonball!!!

1st: Cannonball with lis flower (about 25pounds)
2th: Cap Badge 76th
3th: 74th Pin

Good memories!

   Great stuff!!!   I also have a French ball, a 12 pounder. 

I can't wait to get my first cannonball!!!

  They don't excite me too much anymore, but God I'd love to dig one right beside you! 

I have dug three cannonballs and would love to dig more!!   They make awesome displays.

Six pounders, solid shot. Love to dig them, It's carrying them out that is the bad part.

My personal favourite military find. Buckle from Swedish Carolean soldiers belt. Dropped during the Great war of the North 1713. Similar was in web auction with belt.

This is my favorite military find in 2009.
All this stuff has been left in the woods by retreating small group (not more than 4 persons) of Red Army soldiers in October 1941.

My older bullets, musket balls, grape shots from old garrison field next to army base. Field was my favourite hunting place. I dug some 1600-s. coins, cavalry rosettes, buttons etc. Minie balls were used by Russian soldiers in Finland when our country belonged to the Russian empire.

Fantastic finds "Ukrainian." Tell me when you want me to move to Ukraine.       

The Crusades were a series of military campaigns commonly held religious grounds conducted by much of Latin Christian Europe, in particular, of the Franks in France and the Holy Roman Empire. The cross with the specific aim to restore Christian control of the Holy Land were fought over a period of almost 200 years, between 1095 and 1291. Other campaigns in Spain and Eastern Europe continued until the fifteenth century. The crusades were held mainly against Muslims ...... this is a finding in the 2009 year which appears a medieval crusader knight attacking the battlefield. 

Amazing history on this thread!!!

Fantastic coin. I have always dreamed of finding a crusader coin.

A 1902 officer's sword and sheath

Round 4

Haven't quite narrowed down the exact era but somewhere between Rev. War and War of 1812...

Round 4

Haven't quite narrowed down the exact era but somewhere between Rev. War and War of 1812...

  Think you're safe to call it 1812 because I'm very sure the serious Rev collectors would pass on it....   and Rev badge they would jump on.

These 3 WW I era Scovill artillery fuses are my favorites.

There's some cool stuff in here!
Mine's not quite as awesome, but I'm happy with it.  Gaylord stamped union carbine sling buckle, found 10 feet outside my back door.

  Round 4 he says huh.  Well how about this War of 1812 period British Royal Navy Master button.  Next to nothing else found where I dug it so was pretty happy with the score.

 

These 3 WW I era Scovill artillery fuses are my favorites.

Thanks for posting that! I find loads of bits of shrapnel with them numbers on and wondered where on the shell they
went

[/quote]



Thanks for posting that! I find loads of bits of shrapnel with them numbers on and wondered where on the shell they
went
[/quote]

These are time fuzes mostly used in anti aircraft cannons. Here is a look to the mechanic inside, i cut a quarter out of one...

I am enjoying the contributions so I will share mine as well

the second time it was found was in southern Ohio ~ originally found by a decorated veteran at the Gettysburg battlefield on the northwest side of town near the spring.

Figured Id add my oldest to the mix, Iron Patch says it dates to 1780-1790. The second is one of my favorites its part of a WWII sweetheart bracelet.

 These don't turn up often in SC but I was lucky enough to dig this one right across the river from Savannah Georgia in the palmetto state. Some of Hardees troops fled savannah into SC to get away from Shermans forces and camped on an old plantation and that's where I found it. The other buttons were dug mostly in SC too but one or two came from Virginia.

                                                                             Laszlo

Revolutionary War 8th Regiment of Foot (Kings 8th) neck stock clasp. I was pretty pumped to find both halves. This is the only known example to exist.

This 84th regiment badge is the only example known to exist, and unfortunately nobody knows exactly what it is. It design is identical to a variety of button used during the Revolutionary War, but it is not a button. Notice the attachment on the back. I thought it was pewter, but could be thin brass.

 No one has made a positive ID on this little Silver item, not even Mark Parker, so it is definitely not a common item. It is a favorite find of mine across all categories.

My WWI Button.

 

military maneuver medal:

 Here's my prized military find...a Civil War 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia button, found on April 28, 1985, in a local school playground that was being bulldozed. The dozer had taken off several inches, and the button was another 4 inches down!

   Larry G.  

Round 2 for me is an 1830 army issue powder flask less than 5000 made.

A good friend of mine dug a fantastic example of that flask,I will try and get an image of it!

  Plate Collection. 

That is a nice collection, makes a fine display. Brian C.

Here is a favorite button of mine.  Circa 1800, a 41st of Foot officers.   I am not a historical military expert, but I have read that if not for the reputation of the 41st, the US may have tried to take Canada at the end of the War of 1812. 

   That's a great War of 1812 find!

Thanks IP, I don't think I ever found another like it on the internet.  I've been lucky enough to find two.  I did see a replica somewhere I think, though.

   The 41st buttons are actually one of the more common regimentals the relic hunters dig around the Niagara area.  An online friend (met him once) who passed away in 2004 dug the best one I have ever seen.  Another friend of mine seen it in person and said the pics are no where close to doing it justice.  Rick was a real credit to the hobby and to relic hunting.  He used to travel around and set up his displays for others to enjoy, and on more than one occasion when someone asked to buy a button he mailed an example to them free of charge.  He was the king of the 89th pewter!


 

The picture here was a friend of mine. He had a really nice diplay of buttons, he passed away several years back.

Here is a favorite button of mine.  Circa 1800, a 41st of Foot officers.   I am not a historical military expert, but I have read that if not for the reputation of the 41st, the US may have tried to take Canada at the end of the War of 1812. 

   That's a great War of 1812 find!

Thanks IP, I don't think I ever found another like it on the internet.  I've been lucky enough to find two.  I did see a replica somewhere I think, though.

   The 41st buttons are actually one of the more common regimentals the relic hunters dig around the Niagara area.  An online friend (met him once) who passed away in 2004 dug the best one I have ever seen.  Another friend of mine seen it in person and said the pics are no where close to doing it justice.  Rick was a real credit to the hobby and to relic hunting.  He used to travel around and set up his displays for others to enjoy, and on more than one occasion when someone asked to buy a button he mailed an example to them free of charge.  He was the king of the 89th pewter!


 

The picture here was a friend of mine. He had a really nice diplay of buttons, he passed away several years back.

  I was talking to Rick on his last day.  He had just got home from a detecting trip and said he wasn't feeling great, so went to lie down. The next morning he son wrote me saying that he was gone. If only he had recognized his symptoms for what they were he might be alive today because the problems had started a few days before.  I don't think there is anyone that was more into relic hunting and willing to share than him. Even though it was only 2004 it almost seems like a detecting era to me as things feel quite a bit different now.

Here is a button from the 1840s period, it is made of lead, it came out of an old ghost town I detected for several years. Brian C.

Here is a button from the 1840s period, it is made of lead, it came out of an old ghost town I detected for several years. Brian C.

  It's pewter, but is in such good condition is seems like lead!

Here is a button from the 1840s period, it is made of lead, it came out of an old ghost town I detected for several years. Brian C.

  It's pewter, but is in such good condition is seems like lead!

I think there was lead in pewter, I have found pewter buttons that had a high shine, it was of good quality, the Royal Scot buttons that came out of the camp in the Niagara area were of poor quality pewter, the buttons were falling apart, it depends on the soil. Pewter was a poor mans silver, as the saying goes.

Baby US buckle.. With the makers mark.. J.I. Pittman

This is my biggest military find so far, I have an assortment of buttons, bullets and guns, but this is my favorite. It was recovered while scuba diving in a river in NH using a Whites Surf Master II.

1860-Civil War, Medical Staff Dress Sword with some gilding still intact.

It looks wet because of a light coating of machine oil for preservation.

I'm not sure which one of these is my favorite. I found these back in the 70's.

     This is a great post......plenty of great finds and I'm sure will see many more !   Lets see if all you detecting fanatics can figure out what this button is.......... Still searching for one just like it!   Thank john

   

                                    keep on Digging!!!

Looks like a variety of a rifle regiment, early 1800's, but I don't recognize this type.

Beautiful pieces of history recovered  
  I have to say the mace heads are my favorites  
Here are my two (can't Decide #1   ) Best.
A Rev era 60th Reg British Coat button, and Great War Service Award.
   The details on the NH Cross are nice, honoring every branch of US Military
 This is my favorite post on the forum Romeo1 !  
             Thanks to all for showing  

What a great thread
Found this today, I believe it's WWII - also a fork stamped U.S.N.

     This is a great post......plenty of great finds and I'm sure will see many more !   Lets see if all you detecting fanatics can figure out what this button is.......... Still searching for one just like it!   Thank john

    [ ERROR: SPECIFIED ATTACHMENT MISSING ]

                                    keep on Digging!!!

Nice button there Seeker, I believe VT Militia used a similar design.
                  Can't find a match though 

Ok...round three..and a mystery to boot.  Pretty sure it is a cape clasp but no idea who may have worn it...may not even be military but pretty safe bet that it is.

Crown & Thistles.... Scottish symbols I believe

Inspired by IronPatch...no brainer for me.  This should be a good thread if everyone who has ever dug military participates...post em up!

1790-1815 Royal Artillery Sword Cross Belt Plate

Great find.

Great finds Everyone!  
  Here's another favorite,
Misfired 37 MM Hotchkiss Hi Explosive Shrapnel Autocannon round.
 Introduced around 1870, this was truly a spectacular weapon.
There was a 'Pawn Stars' episode where one was purchased and fired.
Here's a vid of one firing a couple rounds.
  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/hMmnTJDl9IA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/hMmnTJDl9IA</a>

    Figured this was a modern round when I dug it,
I have since disassembled it, has a Cool impact fuse mechanism.
                     thanks for looking!   HH all  

a brit cannon ball in iraq  and a german fe  190 A  fighter ,   mi 24 hind helio

Round 5 for me...

Two chunks of a massive mortar shell.  The first piece was found February 2011 and the second in October 2011.  It's a 13 inch diameter ball and I'm confident that I'll be able to find more of it.  May start welding it back together at some point.