[IvanDrago]

(07-28-2016 10:47 PM)Schlep Wrote:  

@ IvanDrago
Yeah, wasn't sure what section to put the thread in. And I'm not really sure how to answer your question properly. I made quite a bit of money doing this. But, with the hundreds of hours spend out in the field and studying maps, books. You have to have a love for the hobby and history.

I totally understand it being a fun hobby. I have a couple of friends who are in to metal detecting, mushroom hunting and gold panning and they seem to really love it. I just don't see any money in it compared to doing something like picking up a few hours here and there as a bartender. I could be wrong though.

[spokepoker]

A hobby that makes you money beats a soul killing job most any time, if you really need the money (starving kids, owe the mob, etc.), do the job.

[The Beast1]

Honestly guys, I doubt you'd make much "profit" out of this once you factor in all of the gear, travel, and time expenses.

You should do this as a hobby for history's sake. Knowing that you're standing in the very spot where a revolutionary regiment actually camped. The thrill of looking at maps, trying to figure out the names of towns, and finding referenced natural landmarks.

The actual trinkets you get out of it should be souvenirs of the adventure you had and not a means to become "location and income independent".

[Schlep]

^ Yes, I agree 100% with your statement. But, remember there are people who do this for a living. They are professional treasure hunters. And no, not deep sea treasure hunters. They specialize in doing what I do or mostly finding old abandoned dwellings and looking for money hidden somewhere. If you do not believe then look it up.

If you go back through and read my thread carefully. Live in or near a location with rich history. Put the time in like I did then you can make this work. My thread was created to give you guys a blueprint on my research techniques and strategies.

How about states like Kansas or Missouri with a lot of ghost towns. You can purchase books and maps to show you where the towns were ounce located. How much money is still there waiting to be found? Alot more then your think.

How about those states down south like Georgia and South Carolina. During the Civil War General Sherman lead a massive army through that area. How many civilians buried their valuables upon news of hearing of his advance. Alot..and alot more then you think are still there.

[sonoran_]

you are living the childhood dream of everyone by finding buried treasure. I cannot see myself doing this solo, hopefully in the future I meet some people who are into this stuff.

[HOD]

(07-29-2016 10:59 PM)sonoran_ Wrote:  

you are living the childhood dream of everyone by finding buried treasure. I cannot see myself doing this solo, hopefully in the future I meet some people who are into this stuff.

I always wanted to be a pirate in search of buried treasure, wait that was when I was 7 years old

[Jaydublin]

(07-29-2016 11:21 PM)HOD Wrote:  

(07-29-2016 10:59 PM)sonoran_ Wrote:  

you are living the childhood dream of everyone by finding buried treasure. I cannot see myself doing this solo, hopefully in the future I meet some people who are into this stuff.

I always wanted to be a pirate in search of buried treasure, wait that was when I was 7 years old

No reason to be an asshole. If you aren't interested in the topic then don't post.

[Jaydublin]

Schlep,

I read through the thread but may have missed it. How much is that British gold coin worth? I like hobbies like this though more to keep the relics than to sell.

I just moved to one of the Carolinas and this might be a good place. I am not sure how much revolutionary war relics there would be but Civil War there would probably be a lot. Have you hunted the south much?

[RexImperator]

This is the kind of stuff I would really be into. It combines so many interesting things into one.

Kind of like the meteorite hunters.

Those detectors are expensive, though.

[Schlep]

@ Jay

That gold British coin was sold for 2,600$. When I was removing it from the soil I scratched it with my digging tool. Depleting it's value.

The Carolina's are a great place to live for a hobby like this. If your looking for a great book with detailed maps of marching routes of the Continental army and British army. Check out a book.

A Battlefield Atlas of the American Revolution by Craig L. Symonds.

Remember what I wrote about. Do not look up battle sites. You want to study their marching routes. Find the water sources along those marching routes. Find those streams and creeks.

If your interested in the civil war. Follow union general Sherman's army in 1864. If I Remember correctly his army consisted of 75,000 men. Their goal was to hit Savanah, Georgia. But, marched all through the Carolina's.

[RexImperator]

Poe Wrote:

What ho! what ho! this fellow is dancing mad!
He hath been bitten by the Tarantula.
All in the Wrong.

MANY years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. He was of an ancient Huguenot family, and had once been wealthy; but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want. To avoid the mortification consequent upon his disasters, he left New Orleans, the city of his forefathers, and took up his residence at Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, South Carolina...

[Schlep]

@ Jay

Also, I forgot to mention. Have you ever seen the movie Glory? It's the true story of the 54th Massachusetts regiment during the later stages of the civil war. Their shining moment came when they were assigned a task of storming a confederate fort on the beach in South Carolina. The location of that fort
( Battery Wagner ) has never been located.

[Hades]

Oftentimes one can find small diamonds or bits of gold right on the sidewalks. No metal detector needed, really.

[RexImperator]

I've travelled to Charleston a fair amount. I looked into getting a boat out to Morris Island but a lot of the Island has washed away since the Civil War.

[Schlep]

^ Not sure if you guys know this but, if your interested in metal detecting their are clubs in your area that usually meetup ounce a month or so. Maybe find some like minded individuals.

If there is still some of that island left to explore. I'm sure sure there's lots of relics waiting to be found Rex.

[Perdidogringo]

(07-31-2016 04:37 PM)Jaydublin Wrote:  

I just moved to one of the Carolinas and this might be a good place. I am not sure how much revolutionary war relics there would be but Civil War there would probably be a lot. Have you hunted the south much?

Hey Jay, If you get a chance, peruse the videos of this guy, NuggetNoggin, on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nuggetnoggin/videos

He lives in North Carolina and is one of the most accomplished treasure and relic hunters I've ever seen (and he is pretty young- like 20 or so). He is a bit religious, though (he puts scripture and stuff in his videos sometimes), so just ignore that if you find it bothersome. Definitely worth viewing his videos, since he detects near you and knows what he is doing.

By the way, for those of you interested, a great starter metal detector, in my opinion, is the Garrett AT Pro (around $500). It's easy to learn as it has "newbie" settings (practically turn on and go) and then more advanced settings as you gain experience. It has decent depth, good discrimination (which is important) and is water proof (the vast majority of detectors aren't waterproof and it sucks when you have to stop when in starts raining). It's waterproof to 10ft. You can buy different coils to suit your needs. You'll still need a decent pinpointer, digging tool, and finds pouch also to get going. Please note that the AT Pro is for land hunting and fresh water (it doesn't work well in salt water and you need another specialized metal detector for salt water).

I agree with the others that metal detecting is not easy and the vast majority of people who start the hobby get frustrated and quit quickly. You can always find used detectors for sale on EBay and Craigslist by those who give it up. You have to love exercise and history a lot and then if you can make a couple of bucks on top of that, it's gravy. It's a very fulfilling hobby for me but it did take me over a year to master the research, the detector, and even excavation methods.

I second what Schlep said about metal detecting clubs- It's a great idea as you can learn a lot from like-minded people and those with more experience than you.

[RexImperator]

I've heard of stuff being found out there. Some of the island is explorable at low tide and there is an old hulk of a lighthouse visible from Folly Beach.

[spokepoker]

I pulled a coinmaster CM4-D out of my attic that was collecting dust next to some lawn darts, now I just need to buy a shit ton of AA batteries and see if it works.

[Schlep]

^ remember if you find anything worth alot of money the OP gets 10%. Forum rules ☺

[GlobalMan]

Came across this guy, he has the right idea. If I was going to get into this, this would be how I would do it. Finding jewelry, surrounded by hot ass.

[evilhei]

My father has been doing this for 10+ years and its his only source of income. He finds old coins and stuff very often and sells them via ebay and private dealers. He has found also couple of treasures which the government buys at market rate.

[HOD]

(07-31-2016 04:33 PM)Jaydublin Wrote:  

(07-29-2016 11:21 PM)HOD Wrote:  

(07-29-2016 10:59 PM)sonoran_ Wrote:  

you are living the childhood dream of everyone by finding buried treasure. I cannot see myself doing this solo, hopefully in the future I meet some people who are into this stuff.

I always wanted to be a pirate in search of buried treasure, wait that was when I was 7 years old

No reason to be an asshole. If you aren't interested in the topic then don't post.

Didn't mean to de-rail the thread, my bad. It came off in-correctly.

[dark_g]

(07-27-2016 05:34 PM)Schlep Wrote:  

Book, A Battlefield Atlas of the American Revolution.
Marching routes of the British and Continental army's.
Good for NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA and the Carolina's.

I'm trying to upload more pictures of maps for you guys but I'm having a difficult time.

Schlep, I live in upstate NY and have been to the Saratoga Battlefield(they have bike and hiking rails in there). Curious if you you've had any interesting finds in that area or the surroundings?

[El Chinito loco]

Sorry guys. I just had to.

[Schlep]

Yes, I have been up your way a couple times. Above Albany and around the Hudson valley. The Hudson river on the west side is loaded with relics. Not just of the Continental and British army's. But, also from the French and indian war. I found some buttons, coins and a small cannonball with the French stamp on it.