Light switch plate or sword handguard?

k2gleaner · Feb 6, 2020

When I first got a hold of this piece in the ground about 8 in deep, I could only feel the rounded smooth end and thought I had my first belt buckle.

When I pulled it out, and saw that rectangle spot in the middle, the first thing that struck my mind was a light switch plate/cover.

But the property owner told me I needed to see if that comes from a Civil War sword. There had been a civil war rifle and sword in the attic of the old house.

He has an original deed for the property from the king of England dated mid-1770s If I recall correctly.

I thought I could see some initials in that last photo but they aren't engraved so I think I'm imagining that.

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noluckl · Feb 6, 2020

1860 naval cutlass?

This pic has a rivet pattern that seems to match.
Good possibility.
is it brass?
I wonder what kind was in the attic?

Mike

k2gleaner · Feb 6, 2020

noluckl said:
This pic has a rivet pattern that seems to match.

Good possibility.

is it brass?

I wonder what kind was in the attic?

Mike

I'm not sure. I thought it was copper just because of the color but I haven't really checked.

The gentleman said that when he and his sister were kids, they would take it apart. he remembers some kind of nut or something that you could slide off and remove that. When I showed him the artifact, I had no idea and it was the first thing he thought of when he saw it. I forgot to ask him if he had any relatives that had lived in the house and had served in the war. The house has been in the family the whole time.

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k2gleaner · Feb 6, 2020

noluckl said:
This pic has a rivet pattern that seems to match.

Mike

I just noticed what you said about the rivet pattern! Very cool!

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noluckl · Feb 6, 2020

Here is another one that shows the row or rivets along one side.
Nice find!

GroundSweeper · Feb 6, 2020

Whoa that’s a way cool find and ID!

k2gleaner · Feb 6, 2020

It must be brass. Has a really good clank to it when i rap another piece of brass against it.

I'd sure love to know more.

k2gleaner

k2gleaner · Feb 7, 2020

I really wish I remembered exactly where I found this piece in case there's more of it laying nearby. I found it in the yard of the homeowner so it wouldn't be hard to go back and dig everything.

My excitement is only lessened by the fact that this may be part of something that he and his sister played with and that it wasn't dropped there years ago by the bearer of the sword.

Nonetheless, truly I need discovery for me as it is my first Civil War artifact other than a few bullets.

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k2gleaner · Feb 7, 2020

It sure looks like a m1860 US Navy Cutlass made by Ames.

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ToySoldier · Feb 7, 2020

k2gleaner said:
It sure looks like a m1860 US Navy Cutlass made by Ames.

Looks like a good ID to me. Congrats!

Wmass guy · Feb 7, 2020

Absolutely awesome! Congratulations.

waltr · Feb 7, 2020

k2gleaner said:
My excitement is only lessened by the fact that this may be part of something that he and his sister played with and that it wasn't dropped there years ago by the bearer of the sword.

Yes, but I think that is the case many times. Like the Regulation 1808 Shoulder Belt Plate I found at on old farm site.
No military action anywhere near there so more likely brought home when mustered out and dropped many years later. Also found a US Army Officer's coat button there.

These are still exciting finds and one has a better chance to discover the original owner. I still haven't found the 1808 plate owner but have found the name of the US army officer that wore the button.

k2gleaner said:
It sure looks like a m1860 US Navy Cutlass made by Ames.

ToySoldier said:
Looks like a good ID to me. Congrats!

Yes, looks to be a very good ID.

bruinvikes · Feb 7, 2020

That’s definitely a dieter’s spoon :laughing:

k2gleaner · Feb 8, 2020

bruinvikes said:
That’s definitely a dieter’s spoon

LOL! I should use it, then!

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matmit · Feb 9, 2020

Definitely unlike any light switch cover plate I have ever seen...
congratulations

louie088 · Feb 10, 2020

Wow that’s an awesome find right there!!
I found a revwar era one a few weeks ago!! If you look in my posts you can find it.

k2gleaner · Feb 23, 2020

matmit said:
Definitely unlike any light switch cover plate I have ever seen...

congratulations

You're right! But do you see why I thought it for a second?

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k2gleaner · Feb 23, 2020

louie088 said:
Wow that’s an awesome find right there!!

I found a revwar era one a few weeks ago!! If you look in my posts you can find it.

Will do.

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medicchief · Feb 23, 2020

GroundSweeper said:
Whoa that’s a way cool find and ID!

+1!

Light switch plate or sword handguard?

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