Not sure what this is

Grizzly · Sep 2, 2007

Hey everyone, I live in Highland, NY near the Hudson River...I was metal detecting in my backyard and found a musket ball and a few old lead bullets about 6 inches down. However, my metal detector gave me the beep of silver, and I started digging, and about 12 inches down I found this (attachment)

I go to college for History and all of my professors don't know what it is, and I've asked almost 10 of them.

So, I did some of my own research and can only find maybe a reference to Revolutionary War dragoon soldiers that were in the area (the dragon on his head).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Grizzly

Arkwater · Sep 2, 2007

Anything at all on the other side?

Grizzly · Sep 3, 2007

Arkwater said:
Anything at all on the other side?

Just a smooth back with a small circle in the middle, sorry, I meant to take a pic but my battery died, I'll try to get one up tomorrow.

It looks like a pin used to be on the back.

billiard rich · Sep 3, 2007

Welcome to the forum Grizzly!

I don't know what that thing is, but it sure is cool. :cool:

HH

Rich

minereader · Sep 3, 2007

A great find, Griz! Looks old. Enough to get "fired up" over.

Grizzly · Sep 3, 2007

Grizzly said:
Just a smooth back with a small circle in the middle, sorry, I meant to take a pic but my battery died, I'll try to get one up tomorrow.

It looks like a pin used to be on the back.

Here is another pic of the back of it, and on the left you will find a Revolutionary war musket ball and on the right a civil war union bullet.

(The Civil War Bullet was found on my dads property in Fredericksburg, VA)

Anyway, enjoy!

Voriax · Sep 3, 2007

When I saw that item I thought the soldier in it is either Roman or Greek. That helmet with a lizard crest is kinda odd...but I searched a bit and found a crappy pic of a pendant with a bit similar image. It's for sale on ebay, item number 150156632727. Unfortunately no further info about it.

Voriax

Grizzly · Sep 3, 2007

Thanks Voriax...I guess its just one of those things that I'm gonna have to imagine the story to. I'll keep searching, maybe I'll find something eventually.

In other news I just went out again today and found another musket ball. :spin:

Grizzly · Sep 3, 2007

I wanted to take a picture of all of the things I've found together..including the new musket ball today (bottom left) and the bullet I found (just right of the new musket ball). The other two bullets on the bottom row are ones that I found around here in the Hudson Valley, but one of them has the distinct 3 line marking of the Union...(I think it had something to do with a regiment that got together here in Highland and was sent down to the Louisiana coast...they may have practiced here).

Just figure we all like to see something so historical, its so exciting not knowing what you are digging up.

Take care.

del · Sep 3, 2007

it almost looks like an ornate cuff link button

TheGoldenPulltab · Sep 3, 2007

It does look like an old button, the circle on the back suggests it was attatched to a coat or something.

simonthesearcher · Sep 4, 2007

I think Del is right,a cufflink.Very nice

afpilot64 · Sep 4, 2007

Maybe it's a super-secret society cufflink!

bottlecaps · Sep 4, 2007

if i was to guess, its spanish colonial. maybe a sea serpent on his helmet not a dragon a popular folklore with navy men. hes wearing a well engraved spanish style helmet and notice the artist exaggerated the facial features possibly a vip famous general, captain, leader, ect. He also has a well groomed period beard with curled mustache. this art work is not common of american artists. great find try doing a little more research with this info let me know what you find!

Grizzly · Sep 4, 2007

bottlecaps said:
if i was to guess, its spanish colonial. maybe a sea serpent on his helmet not a dragon a popular folklore with navy men. hes wearing a well engraved spanish style helmet and notice the artist exaggerated the facial features possibly a vip famous general, captain, leader, ect. He also has a well groomed period beard with curled mustache. this art work is not common of american artists. great find try doing a little more research with this info let me know what you find!

Thank you so much for your analysis of it...I was ignorant and kept thinking roman or greek and did not think spanish (duh). Trust me, I'm doing all the research I can with the information you gave, thank you so much...I'll know by tonight if I can find anything.

If I finish up my reading for one of my classes I might go back to where I found it and see if I can find the pin that was on the back or maybe another one...

bottlecaps · Sep 4, 2007

haha I think i may have found the man "Pedro de Alvarado Conquistador " born 1485 died in 1540 or this guy from portugal Dom Afonso I Henriques, Conquistador or maybe some1 els

Grizzly · Sep 4, 2007

bottlecaps said:
haha I think i may have found the man "Pedro de Alvarado Conquistador " born 1485 died in 1540 or this guy from portugal Dom Afonso I Henriques, Conquistador or maybe some1 els

But I can't find anything that would associate him with the dragon lizard thing on his head...it could really be anyone.

Hmm, but I think you are on the right track...I'm going to research most of the night.

Thanks!

bbwwbb · Sep 4, 2007

I can tell you this about it:

It is one of the coolest things I've seen in a ling time. It will hold interest for years. nice find.

CrazySlasher · Sep 4, 2007

Could it be Vlad the Impaler???

http://website.lineone.net/~farrago2/rlcsite/specnew/vlad/archive1/tepes1.gif

Vlad the Impaler was also part of a group called the "Order of the Dragon."

http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~emiller/dragon.html

tvic25 · Sep 5, 2007

Cufflink?

Hi Grizzly!
That's a really cool find...I looked around and found this info..

Sir Francis Drake. To the Spaniards, he was El Draque, the Dragon.(1) Drake earned this title through his privateering exploits from 1570 to 1595

Not sure if it's him, but I guess you can't have too much information...LOL!

HH!
tvic25

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