Finds from a Civil War era home site. I need help verifying what a couple of items are as well.

[C&RHunter]

I had three 3 hour hunts, this week, at a new site on the bottom grounds of a small river near me. The 1877 County Atlas showed a home at this location. It wasn’t difficult to find once I got out to the edge of the bean field. There are pieces of glass, dishes, crocks, etc. scattered in a large area. I was extremely lucky enough to recover the 1854 O Half Dollar on the second day. What was a total surprise!! That was the one and only coin that I found. (I have made a post about my first two days of hunting in the Todays Finds and the Equinox forums.)

So, from what I know about this site, there was a house here from at least 1877 until sometime in the 1930s. There are a couple of things that I have found that I have questions about. I thought one of you Civil War relic hunters might be able to answer my questions, as you would have more knowledge than I do about Civil War relics. One picture has what has been suggested it could be a rein guide? The toe plates are the other items in question. Were they used only by military or did civilian population use them as well? I have found toe plates before but didn't think much about it. On one of these i found a date of Nov 29 1859. This site has produced the most pieces of harmonica reeds in one area that I have ever hunted. I had expected to find a military button or two, but that didn’t happen. HH

 

[IowaRelic]

nice finds. That’s my favorite hunting right there. A bean field. Man I miss that.
I can say nearly certainly, that yes, it’s a reigns guide. I’m not sure I’ve seen that exact shape before. They were civilian. I’m sure the military used them too. The toe taps are civilian also. Pretty common find for the period homesites. Again I’m sure the military used them also. Not sure that I’ve seen them dated though, pretty cool. Makes me want to clean some of mine up and look for dates!

 

[C&RHunter]

nice finds. That’s my favorite hunting right there. A bean field. Man I miss that.
I can say nearly certainly, that yes, it’s a reigns guide. I’m not sure I’ve seen that exact shape before. They were civilian. I’m sure the military used them too. The toe taps are civilian also. Pretty common find for the period homesites. Again I’m sure the military used them also. Not sure that I’ve seen them dated though, pretty cool. Makes me want to clean some of mine up and look for dates!

IowaRelic, Thanks for the info on the items. I did some checking and the date on the toe plate is a patent date. On mine the area where Pat. would be is damaged so it is unreadable. I have found some military buttons, and most of a brass spur, and mid 1800s coins at cabin site about a mile away in the same bottom ground. I am still hoping to recover another coin or two from this site. I find it hard to believe that the half dollar was the only coin lost here. I may take my Deus out and try one more time before the beans get too tall.

 

[Joseph in Alabama]

Great finds..Bet loosing that silver piece hurt! hh. joe

 

[laplander]

Your on the the right site for civil war era buttons C&R, they can be absolutely horrid signals though. Don't notch out any thing above say 2, a good signal on a full coat button would be 12 but don't expect to many like that.
HH Jeff

 

[C&RHunter]

Your on the the right site for civil war era buttons C&R, they can be absolutely horrid signals though. Don't notch out any thing above say 2, a good signal on a full coat button would be 12 but don't expect to many like that.
HH Jeff

Jeff, Thanks for the tip about the buttons.