No silver, but good hunt…. Button, buckle, Bullet I.D. HELP!!!

[HullGuitars]

Went for a short hour hunt today at a field that a 30’s home once set on. Its got a lot of fill dirt, and stuff has been moved around. So its kind of crappy… but I didn’t feel like searching out the silver today,… just wanted to grid an easy lot. Found some clad, one Wheatie… and some interesting things

-Midge toy car…. Kind of neat.

- Buckle, with leather still attached somewhat…. WHAT ARE THESE BUCKLES FOR??? I FIND THEM EVERYWHERE!!!

-Strangest bullet casing I have EVER SEEN! I have no idea what it is or where it came from. It looks as if the shell was not fired…. But like it was used as target practiced and was blown up at the end. The shell casing has an unfired primer, and reads “159-74 11-68 M82LS” SOMEONE PLEASE I.D. THIS

-ANOTHER Great seal button. Think that makes 6 or 7 in past month. Its in great shape and reads “WATERBURY BUTTON CO. CONN” I want to know the history behind these if anyone knows about them! I have 5 different sizes ranging from .250” to 2”.

You would think there would be silver at this site. I have pulled over 35 wheaties there, and only one silver dig. It was a Rosie spill of two coins…. But DANG how can there be that many wheaties and that much history there and only ONE silver dig?! I am posting an entire other thread about these statistics.


The wife also did well, with a whetie, and a pair of really cool buckles! Also dug a lot of clad!

 

[carcur]

nice finds congrats
the buckles might be horse related

 

[steveg]

The Great Seal buttons of that type were from military coats/uniforms -- cuff buttons, main "front of the coat" buttons, etc. That style is generally WWI or WWII vintage...

Steve

 

[hambo14]

The buckle appears to have something written on it, is this so? I would guess it to be a harness buckle, but just what part of the rig I don't know. the bullet casing, hhmm I will have to pass on that. a bit embarrassing being a bit of a "gun nut".

 

[HullGuitars]

Wife also found a cool watch. Its toast but still really neat! I’m sure she will use it in some type of jewelry! I’m sure her little boy will enjoy the helicopter! We have both dug ALOT of hot wheals at this site!

Her buckle does have some writing on it,.... and I will have to do the photo taking so that it is ledge able.

 

[posco]

here is my guess on the shell. It is shell from the WWI era that was not made in the US. It could be German DWM ammunition was made with a catalog number rather than spelling out the caliber.
or
it could also be a shell that obviously is hiding its manufacturer for a reason. Ammo made to provide to the allies without revealing the source.
my guess has a link.

http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes#top

 

[joee5]

like the huey

 

[Dirt Lizard]

Nice hunt congrads on the finds

 

[Philbyfile]

The Waterbury Button Co. is still in business:

http://www.waterburybutton.com/cart/pc/home.asp

No doubt you could contact them regarding the buttons, though I would agree they are WWI or WWII.

 

[Charlie Tuna]

Casing almost looks like a 303 Enfield to me.

 

[turtlefoot]

Great finds! I don't think that you have found a bullet casing. I think you have something a bit more interesting. I believe it is an M82 primer for a 155mm shell.

I cannot find one yet with your exact headstamp, but I am still looking.

Doug

 

[turtlefoot]

Here is a similar one that was offered for sale.

http://www.soldusa.com/rainworx/detail.asp?id=43339&bigpic=1#img

Doug

 

[bryanf]

Really cool finds good luck on finding out what you have.