Lock plate with anchor emblem

[WhiteCountyPaleo]

This is my first post to this website and think it's great, a lot of great information. I've recently found this in a plowed field on the surface. I bent the measuring tape around and got an over all length of 5 7/8. Thanks in advance for any information about this piece.

 

[bnail]

that's an Awesome find!

It looks as if it could a French musket Lock.
check out Kevin Gladyze's book on French Fusils.
in it he discusses various types of "anchor" guns.
Anchor, Double Anchor, etc.

If he doesn't chime in soon, PM Alex Efremenko, he's shared some good knowledge on French fusils.

 

[alex efremenko]

Cool!! What Skagan said.Looks like an anchor marked lockplate to me. What a neat find.

Alex E.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Coolest thing I've seen here in a long time. "Fusil le Anchor" lock plate ca. 1750ish. I wonder if a blown breech bent it that way? :hmm:

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

That is incredible! Do you mind telling us an approximate location of the find? What state or county?

 

[rickystl]

WOW!!! Very cool find!! Yes, please let us know where you dug it up. Thanks. Rick. :thumbsup:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yes, very neat find.
His login and avatar pretty much tell us White County, Indiana. That is north west of Indianapolis. I know there was Rev. War action in south east part of the state, right around current Friendship. )I used to live near there) In, or near, his county there is a town named Battle Ground which is not far from Layfayette. And, Layfayette is certainly a famous Rev. War figure.
Just conjecture on my part, thanks to Google.

 

[Trench]

Yes, very neat find.
His login and avatar pretty much tell us White County, Indiana. That is north west of Indianapolis. I know there was Rev. War action in south east part of the state, right around current Friendship. )I used to live near there) In, or near, his county there is a town named Battle Ground which is not far from Layfayette. And, Layfayette is certainly a famous Rev. War figure.
Just conjecture on my part, thanks to Google.

That's all true. Also, there was a French-speaking population around those parts well in to the early 1800's. I've read some journal entries around Vincenne's Indiana of the French population around 1810 and their "inabilities" as seen by the English speaking population.

 

[alex efremenko]

The French had had forts in Indiana as Early as the 1720's. Long before any Englishman got there.

 

[WhiteCountyPaleo]

Found in Tippecanoe county In. Not dug, found on the surface in a plowed field. From what I was told it is illegal to use a metal detector and dig. It's tempting to own one, but I'd rather not have the temptation laying around.

 

[WhiteCountyPaleo]

I never thought of it blowing up! That would be more interesting than the plow mangling it up...Would you say this from a musket with a long barrel and not a hand gun? I see the definition of a fusil is a light flintlock musket, so probably easy to break I would imagine.

 

[Tumblernotch]

Found in Tippecanoe county In. Not dug, found on the surface in a plowed field. From what I was told it is illegal to use a metal detector and dig. It's tempting to own one, but I'd rather not have the temptation laying around.

It is illegal to use a detector and to dig or remove relics &c from National Parks and most state parks but not on private property unless the owner posts otherwise. If you want to do it, just make sure you're on private property and be sure to get permission from the landowner. And always fill in any holes you make. Better yet, to make good relations with the landowner if you see trash around the site you're digging, it doesn't hurt to police the area and take it with you and to report any damage you see just in case the owner is not aware of it. This will help you get back in later and also give you a good rep with his/her neighbors.

By the way, that's a neat find. :thumbsup:

 

[WhiteCountyPaleo]

Maybe in West Virginia, but here in Indiana I've heard it is illegal.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Kanawha Ranger is correct though there may be a local ordnance in your locality that forbids their use. Not likely but possible, check with your local law enforcement or the county or city offices, I'll bet you'll find that the use of a metal detector is just fine, especially on private property.

 

[Robert Egler]

Here's a link to IL metal detector laws. Looks like the only restrictions concern public lands and archaeological sites
http://www.mdhtalk.org/cf/city-regulation.cfm?st=IL

 

[WhiteCountyPaleo]

Thanks for the book reference I'll definitely have to check it out.

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

THAT is spectacular! If only it could talk.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Yeah, at first I assumed it was bent from the plow but then realized if it were, then there would be clear marks exposing the metal underneath. At the least there would be evidence of the plow blade's "slash" in the bend.

I think Mike's thought on the subject is certainly credible.

Either that or Jacques was showing his physical prowess around the campfire after some fine vin:"I am zo ztrong I kin bend za zteel wid my bar mains!"

And yes, I agree with all that it is a stupendous find. Doesn't it make you want to go back and dig around?