Molten metal?

[SPG]

I spent a few hours in my yard with my new detector. In the right of the photo are some rock looking pieces. They are nonmagnetic. Could they be slag? I think the larger pieces are aluminum...lightweight oxide coated. But a few of the smaller pieces are heavier with a blackish color. I cleaned them up with a soft-wire wheel and did a match test (something I read online to identify silver). the heavier ones turned black where the match ignited, indicating probably silver.
When I bought the house, I was told it was built in the 1820s and owned by a silversmith (J. M. Root). Would these pieces be typical remnants from smelting or something else?

 

[mudpuppy]

Well, it stands to reason...I can imagine a silversmith knocking slag off a ladle or somesuch..
Good looking work there!
Mud

 

[MikeO]

Built in the 1820s there has to be some old coins so, keep at it.
I vote slag.

 

[broadestpower]

I vote slag also there is a kit for testing for silver. Congratulations and keep going the old coins are still there waiting to be found!
Merry Christmas and HH.

 

[SPG]

Thanks,
I'll have to get a kit or take them to a coin shop.
If the larger pieces are aluminum, it doesn't quit fit in the time frame of the Root Silver operations http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~silversmiths/makers/silversmiths/36811.htm
I'll update my progress at some point.
Winter is setting in here, I'll be back at combing the yard in Spring

Shaun.

 

[Gunrunner61]

I'd say slag jmho.....................HH

 

[gunsil]

Hi, a silversmith would not be refining silver from ore and when one melts silver casting grain, coin, or bullion there is no slag left over. I make silver jewelry and have melted a lot of silver so I am sure of this fact. I can't tell from your photos what the objects are. Also, believe me, if a silver worker spilled a flask of molten silver he would recover said metal and re-melt it, nobody throws away precious metal knowingly. Another thing, the term silversmith really means someone who makes silver flatware and dinnerware and they usually start with pre-made silver sheet since flatware and dinnerware are not cast from molten metal, but formed by die stamping, hammering and turning sheet metal. He could have cast small finials or decorations to adorn the plates, bowls, etc, but there would still be no slag left over.
Happy New Year, and good luck with your old spot!!