Metal Detecting discussions and finds

any signs of whom, what type of group?

 

Most Definitely chinese. Have pulled 8 chinese coins between my friend and I from this location.... lots of opium tins, the opium pipe... 0 US coins so far.

 

I would assume a logging camp for mines, railroad or town?

It was interesting in Death Valley, at the skidoo mine they used a lot of pinyon logs for timber in the mine, so there must’ve been a big logging camp up in the mountains quite a ways away and they developed quite a network of trails to get wood down to the desert for it. They also made a very long water pipe to get water down there as well.

 

Exactly, possibly all of the above (mines, railroads, and towns) I live right at the base of the Sierras in Reno, the transcontinental railroad was built right through here as well as countless narrow gauge lines, and the infamous V&TRR.There was also extensive mining in the area, and the subsequential boomtowns.

This specific spot isn't too far from Reno at all. There are pictures of the surrounding foothills and Lake Tahoe basin completely de-forested from the un-regulated logging in the area. All to supply the booming construction in the desert directly adjacent to it, they sometimes flumed logs for dozens of miles to the Nearest RR or stage route.

Sounds like a similar scenario to your locale, and with the water as well.

 

Alright I have a bunch of weird stuff I have dug up over the years that I had no clue what it was when I first unearthed it, and I think it would be interesting to post some of it here to see who knows what these things are.

If anyone else has any weird stuff I'd love to see it!


I'll start with this. One internet high five for who can identify it. And yes I do now know what it is now.

Took first pic in cabinet and another one for scale with car keys.

 

Is it heavy? hollow?

 

It is heavy, solid inside with some glass and another material that I am honestly not sure exactly what is.

 

ok, I’m stumped... but don’t say it yet- need a basic hint. What type of metal is it and was that “hooked” end melted and distorted, or was it supposed to look like that?

 

Good questions....

I believe these are made out of some sort of pot metal. It is not distorted in any way.

Couple hints.

The "hooked" end was meant to hold something, and is actually at the bottom when this was in use.

Here's a bigger hint, it has something to do with an early form of communication.

 

What type of establishment was it found at?
Telegraph conductor insulator perhaps?

 

Found along a railroad, and yes, that is exactly what it is.

Specifically a Brooks Rams Horn Insulator.

Brooks got a contract with the newly built transcontinental railroad for his newly patented insulator design to be used along large portions of the railroad. The bottom of the insulator says "Brooks Pat 1867" ... they are pretty cool pieces of history that can be found along the old railroad grade of the central pacific. I had no clue what it was when I first dug it up. They only were used a few years before they started failing commonly and were replaced with glass insulators.

 

That is really cool! That's a neat piece of history!
The Central Pacific line you say??

 

Yep also known as the transcontinental railroad... I love detecting along it. The locks are also a treat to find.

 

That is bad ass!

 

Two friends and I went out for 3-4 hours yesterday and didn't find anything of interest. We very recently found a new spot so we went in and hit it pretty hard. We found hundreds of square nails and I came away with shot and unshot lead balls, looked to be 30-something caliber. But nothing interesting...
We did enjoy a perfect Blue Bird day!

 

Very cool, was it like a homestead ?

 

It was an 1860's water crossing outpost. Prolly had something to do with protecting miners and ranchers from Natives.

 

Surprised you didnt find a coin

 

Me too. It's an out-of-the-way location that hasn't seen much traffic. Not only no coins, but nothing notable. Strange...