Indian Trade Silver Found - how to date?

[Cal_Cobra]

I went on a roadtrip with a detecting buddy to check out some sites we had researched, and found a piece of Indian Trade Silver (not common to find in California). The site was on a fur trading route, and early emigrant route.

This was about 8" deep, tarnished and dirty, I initially thought it was a piece of junk until I got it home and looked at it closer. Then under magnification I noticed it was engraved, and cleaned it up with some baking soda and water. If you click on the image it will enlarge to see better details.

Does anyone have any idea as to its age? I'm assuming it's fur trading era, late 1700's to early 1800's?

Thanks for looking, and happy hunting!

 

[Cal_Cobra]

BTW this piece is pretty twisted up, and in the photo it may appear to be thin, but it's actually as thick as a dime.

I'm wondering if it may have been a bracelet that someone tried to flatten out?

Anyhow, any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[osgood]

Im glad you mentioned the thicker gauge on the silver. It did look rather wafer thin, and Id thought too thin to have survived that long. Cant help you with the age. But as thick as a dime thats a substantial hunk. Keep us posted Brian. Let me know if youre headin out east. CO