Relic Hunting Knowledge

[RecoverinRelics]

Hey y'all. Hoping this thread is being posted in the right place and hoping it's not a dumb question either. Wanted to know how some of you have so much knowledge in certain areas of relic hunting? For example I know a few guys who can ID buttons like its their job, or headstamps, or buckles, etc. I can usually put a date on a find but I usually don't know EXACTLY what it is.

Do you have identification books for buttons, buckles, bullets, or other relics?(That would be really cool, please let me know of any good books like that.) The history behind the finds I think is the most interesting part of this hobby. I just want to learn more about the finds. So if anyone has any tips or any books they reccomend, please let me know.

Plus I film all of my hunts, so I don't like sounding like an idiot filming something I really don't know what it is. Or even not filming something because I thought it was nothing.

Alright that's all. Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks.
Ryan
-RR

[andrewjames]

I have to say the "experts" on this site are amazing! I always just leave it to them! BTW I do like your videos on youtube! Keep it up!

[The Rebel]

Not a dumb question at all. We've all been able to learn from each others experiences & finds.

There are lots of books & websites on buttons, headstamps...etc...

HH,
Roger

[howardgooden]

This is a great place for info! As u dig more relics, you will learn more! HH

[tater]

Ive been detecting sense 2006 and still learn all the time. Thats part of the majic in this hobby.

[PhotoRob06]

Just read all threads in the help ID section and by the end you'll be an expert in most things diggable. Except headstamps... Turtlefoot seems to be the only authority in that area.

[DIGGER27]

Carol and Vlad, (owners), were nice enough to go to the trouble to scan and post online lots of info and pictures here in the help me identify my finds sub forum on lots of relics.

http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=28074

[RecoverinRelics]

Thank you all for your input. Will take all of the advice. Thanks!

[Iron Patch]

Put it this way... I could carry on a detecting conversation and sound like I knew what I was talking about even before I had a detector. But then once I did own one (starting in the late 90s) the fascination was more towards the finds. I think some of the most fun days I had detecting was when I found something old and interesting and got to come home to google it. So between my finds and seeing all the posts, I started to gain more and more and more experience. I was never good in school, and had no memory for that stuff, but finds and relics stick in my brain and I always want to know more. I learn at least a thing or two every week it seems and that has been going on for about 12 years now and I don't think it will ever stop. I'm definitely very far from being an expert in anything,but I do see how people who have been around a long time know so damn much. Experience is the name of the game!

[The Wolf]

Here are some books you can check out:

for Civil War bullets, this is my favorite:

http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Proj...0046243&sr=1-1

And for buttons, here are two of the best:

http://www.amazon.com/Uniform-Button...0046332&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Record-America...0046465&sr=1-2

I don't own Albert's button book, but I love the other two. Hope this helps.
-Mike

[bugman]

Ive learned alot from people on this site.The internet is a treasure trove of info, half the fun of this hobby to me is finding a whatsit, and doing research till i figure it out.

[turtlefoot]

When it comes to headstamps there are some decent online sources. Do remember that most do have errors.

Here is a link to a good, general site to identify the manufacturer and line of many headstamps.

http://members.shaw.ca/cartridge-corner/shotgun.htm

Here is a great link for one of the most accurate articles on shotshell dates. Although it doesn't go into a lot of detail about specific headstamps, it has some great, accurate dating info.

http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/neblan...shotshells.asp

I also reference:
trade journals from the past
vintage hunting, fishing and outdoor magazines
Sears, Wards, etc. catalogs
Archaeology journals, lots and lots of archaeology journals
Several reference books
Historians from Remington and Federal
Direct contact with other companies like Sellier&Bellot and Eley
Patent and trademark records
I do also use Google as a starting point for some of my searches

Plus, I also get lucky from time to time.

Doug

[Rattlehead]

Originally Posted by RecoverinRelics

Do you have identification books for buttons, buckles, bullets, or other relics?(That would be really cool, please let me know of any good books like that.) The history behind the finds I think is the most interesting part of this hobby. I just want to learn more about the finds. So if anyone has any tips or any books they reccomend, please let me know.

I use multiple books..

1) Record of American Uniform and Historic Buttons
2) Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia (Vol 1 & 2)
3) Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics
4) Civil War Projectiles II
5) Catalog of United States Tokens
6) The Photographic History of The Civil War
7) A guide of United States Coins
8) The Civil War Colletors Price Guide

[KevinB]

Reading these forums and reading books. But these guys and gals who have been doing this awhile have the most info in their heads.

[cambria09]

The most impotant thing is to just keep diggin' and learnin'...patient persistence pays.

[RIHussey]

Also, I'm not expert, but I'm trying to collect a series of helpful images when I see them. I'm placing them in my "Albums" file under "Reference Info."

http://metaldetectingforum.com/album.php?albumid=2711