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Old Shool House .... Broke into the 1800's today

M

Mike Bearden

Member
Well the first thing I thought when I pulled up in front of the old school house was that I wouldn't be able to hunt today.
I got started a little later than my normal routine and I almost didn't take my detector out of the truck when I spotted 5 County workers unloading equipment at the back side corner of the school.
I was still drinking my 2 cup of coffee anyway so I walked over to get a closer look. One of the workers asked me if I worked for the school board and I told him no that I was wanting to use my metal detector and started to explain about the hobby when the big boss man walked up and interruputed .... he was a kind old soul and said that I should wait a little while because he was about to remove a foot of dirt wide enough for a double driveway 70' long

He went on to say that he went to this school as a child and so did his mother. I asked him how old the place was and he said he wasn't sure but THOUGHT it was built in 1909.

I decided I'd go around the other side of the building and hit the playground area and at least pick up some clad while he was busy. 1st. target was the School Monitor Badge and 3 or 4 swings later I unearthed the pocket watch .. it was deeeeep (over 15").
Then I started hitting some clad and a few silver dimes and quarters mixed in the bunch. I guess about 45 minutes went by and I heard the front end loader turn off. It was time to take a break and see what things were looking like anyway.
As I turned the corner I saw one of the workers reach down and pick up a coin, it was bent up merc. and when he saw me, he just tossed it my way.
The foreman sent all of the workers out to take care of something somewhere else (something about a storm drain cover) and it was just him and me at the site.
He looked at me and winked and said WELL ... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON
I put the headphones on and went to it. I dug several quarters and dimes for the first few minutes and then the good stuff started popping up. A holed 36 silver half, then a 1908 silver half, the a 1928 Walking Liberty quarter, a 1953 Franklin half and then it happened ...
I hit some late 1800 stuff, a 1882 Indian, a 1895 V nickel, a Sac dollar of all things right on the edge where he cut and then something really special came up.
I've only dug one of these before in all my years of detecting and I did the chicken dance when I rubbed the dirt away and seen the 1878 20 cent piece.
:
I've dug over 2 thousand of pieces of silver in my day but none that make me happier than the 20 cent piece. They just didn't mint many of them ... no there not that valuable but it was alway's one on my top goals to find.
The foreman guy said something pretty funny after he watched my reaction but I can't repeat it here.
The crew returned while we were looking over the goodies and they were all surprised at what was found. One of them wants me to hunt his old farm place ( 40 acres ) and see if we can find something there. He said his old uncle was moonshiner and he didn't believe in Banks and the family always thought he had money stashed away in a holes somewhere.
This could get real interesting before it's all over because he said that he found a small wooden box while plowing that had 9 solid gold pocket watches in it.... don't think he was telling me one either.
Anyway .. it was another GREAT day at the old school house.
Good Hunting
Mike

Oh yeah ... I almost forgot the GREEN DISC, after looking at it thru my loop I can see a hair bun and a date of 1874 but it is badly worn. Might be an old copper ?

 
Mike,
All I can say is... "You are One with your detector" ... In Sync... a truly Harmonious Duo" :clap

Some might say you're a lucky stiff... but you have way too many sweet finds under you're belt for that moniker.

I'd love to follow you around one day for no other reason than to shorten my learning curve.

By the way... since you posted in this forum is it safe to assume you were using your GT? Only reason for asking is I know you got a new Ex II so I thought you'd be chomp'n at the bit to do some serious field testing.

Elton
 
Thanks for the kind words but it was more the SITE than the hunter. This place has really been good to me and I'm sure there is more to come. The GT was again my weapon of choice today and I've been pounding the living crap out of these local spots just to see how well it compared to my EXII .... by the way .. I've been using an Explorer for a long time and the EXII since they came out as well. Matter of fact, I think Shaner and myself probably had the 1st. ones that David from Dixie sold. They were real unstable and had to be returned to Minelab but they sure have the bugs out of them now :)
I'm pretty sure that I'll be looking to buy another EXII pretty soon if you know of anyone wanting to part with one .. send them my way.
I installed a all metal pinpoint button on my GT's handgrip and boy does that improve things :)
Thanks & H.H.
Mike
 
Too bad I already sold my ExII... would have been more than happy to cut you a deal. :shrug

I'm familiar with the remote pin point switch mod on the XS model Sovereigns, but haven't one seen one a GT. You got any Pics? Did you just disconnect and relocate the wiring to the new switch location... or did you get fancy and incorporate silent search?
Elton
 
Well it's still has the silent search and everything it had before. I just added a 2 wire connection soldiered directly to the disc/all metal switch. I installed a quick disconnect to the backside of the case housing close to where the coil cable mounts.
I mounted a push button switch close to where my thumb would naturally reach as if I were reaching for the top of the hand grip (but not on top).
This gives me the ability to run the GT in disc with the pinpoint button left in the ON position at all times, all I have to do is hit the button and it throws the GT into full all metal/pinpoint mode. Works like a dream and wasn't that hard to do once you have the parts in hand and ready to go.
The button on the hand grip is TRICKY at best, it has to be small and will not fit on top as I would have liked for it to do. But if you gently roll that padding down you will see a spot or two to mount your switch. Be careful with the foam because I split mine while trying to put a hole in it for the switch button to clear ... no a biggie though .. super glue will mend that foam like new again other than it being a little bit hard in the seam that it sealed.
It's easier than it sounds and works like a charm.
I've gotten several emails inquiring about the this so I thought I might as well post it.
WARNING .. if you do this your WARRANTY is NULL & VOID plain & simple :spin
H.H.
Mike
 
3 halves, one of each kind in one day is awesome, but to find a 20 cent piece, well that is almost as good as a gold piece as they are hard to find. I have yet to hear of anyone in my area finding a 20 cent piece, but have heard of a few gold pieces.
Congratulations Mike you had a great day and one you will remember for years to come.

Rick
 
n/t
 
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