It's Thursday, and that means WHAT IS THIS ? I was not sure of what I had when I unearthed this. So much so that I placed it in my pouch where I usually put the bottle caps and junk. After the dig, we all gathered for our customary "look what I found" round table. It was then that I learned exactly what it was.
This is a HEEL PLATE.
Miriam Webster describes it as: a metal plate (as one designed to protect against wear) for the heel of a shoe. In days gone by, people would have them nailed to the soles of their shoes to extend the wear.
This one was a little folded when I found it and the holes were filled with soil - perhaps why I didn't recognize it right away.
Here are some pictures of vintage heal plates. Some people call them toe taps.
Today's find is pretty special. It was unearthed from a Victorian pasture, where most relics and older coins date to the mid 1800s.
It is a CANNETILLE style ring.
Cannetille is a close relative of filigree work. It typically features fine gold wires. Jewelry with cannetille was very popular in the 1820's and 1830's. Motifs included tendrils, scrolls, coils, beehives and spider-like rosette ornaments. Colorful gemstones tend to embellish the pieces. Most of these stones were relatively inexpensive, at least compared to diamonds, and this fitted the trend of creating jewelry at a minimum expense.
Here is a video of my digging buddy Kelly and I unearthing the beauty.
This is why I love metal detecting. You just never know what history is going to give up.
Today I am going to feature a digging tool. I have owned one for about 3 months and I must say it is fantastic. Officially, it is called the MODEL 85 Digging Tool and is made by Lesche aka Predator Tools.
To borrow some information from the website:
The model 85 and 75 were Designed for Digging with Surgical Precision. The Digging Tool” is a heavy sharpened trowel with one edge sawtoothed for root cutting and a large handguard for user safety.These tools are made for 4130 Chrome-moly Virgin Steel, Aircraft Quality Heat Treated and Temper for Super Strength.
Features:
The blade has teeth for cutting roots.
The handle is 4 ½" long with a hand guard to protect your hand from sliding down onto the blade. This tool also comes with a new improved sheath made from codura. This sheath may be carried on your belt. Due to the Costs of shipping that keep going up, Shipping and Handling 12.00
Dimensions:
11 ¾" overall length, 1 7/8" wide x 7 ¼" long blade
Weight : Approx 14 oz.
It sells for $45.95 USD and is available directly from Predator Tools
You can also purchase it in Canada. I found one online for $70.95 CDN at Carry All Canada
Most people set out metal detecting with inferior gear. Do yourself a favour and purchase the good stuff sooner than later. You will be glad you did.
Yesturday I released an UPDATE video on YouTube. Have a peek and remember to LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE.
It's Friday, and that means it's time to showcase some metal detecting finds.
A piece of horse tack
Junk - there is always junk
1916 Canadian Large Cent
Obverse
1837 American Large Cent
Obverse - absolutely beautiful. LIBERTY is clearly seen.
1900 Canadian Large Cent - Queen Victoria
Reverse
Flat button
Nice shank
1907 Canadian Large Cent
Reverse
These all came from the same dig.
There is always junk to be found - but the treasures make it worthy.
Enjoy your weekend. If you can get out and do some metal detecting, by all means do !!!! The Canadian winter weather is here - so I will be spending my 'off time' researching and cleaning finds.
It's Thursday, and that means WHAT IS THIS? Today's item is made of iron. It was unearthed in a Victorian pasture in Ancaster Ontario Canada, where the majority of relics found are dated to the mid 1800s. I thought perhaps some kind of cap, but the underside has no threading and is hexagonal.
DIGGING WITH KIDS episode 3 It's Wednesday, and that means a video. Today's video is DIGGING WITH KIDS ep 3. This is the third installment in my new video series where I do some metal detecting with kids of all ages. This particular episode was filmed on the grounds of a 1950s high school which is scheduled to be torn down. The school borders on very historical land. Now a park, it was once home to a horse racing track in the mid 1800s. It also served as a victorian picnic site. My guest unearthed some modern clad coins, as well as one nice relic - an old belt buckle. Enjoy the video.
It is cold and snowy in my neck of the woods. No more metal detecting this year :-( Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL.
1876 LARGE CENT - Sneak Peek Recorded this fall, this video was shot in Ancaster, Ontario Canada, in a Victorian pasture. Most of the relics unearthed in this pasture are dated in the mid 1800s. I must say I was very surprised when this beautiful large cent was retrieved from the hole. 1876 !!! Now that is old. I hope you enjoy the video and can sense the exhilaration in my voice.
That's about it for today. Until tomorrow, remember to KEEP IT REAL.
