Table of Contents:
- 12.Stolen Handgun
- 11.Space Iron
- 10.Sputnik Sinkers
- 9.Zinc Dental Work
- 8.Husband and Wife Treasure Hunting Duo
- 7.A Lock
- 6.A Strange Piece of Copper
- 5.A Pocket Wood Cutting Wedge
- 4.Mystery Items in New York
- 3.Canadian Coin Farm
- 2.1950s Toy Gun
- 1.Antique Toy Gun
- Hand Shaped Gold Nugget
By Michael Bernzweig
Metal detectorfinds aren’t just your typicalcoins, gold rings,necklacesand an oddpiece of jewelry. Sometimes, you make some weirdmetal detectorfinds during searches and these are oftentimes the most memorable discoveries. They can be made of all types of metals fromnickelandbronzeto more valuable metals like gold and silver. Weird finds come in all shapes and sizes from oldtoysandmilk tokensto space metal that fell to Earth millions of years ago. Weirdmetal detectorfinds may not be life changing, but they can be just as interesting as finding buriedtreasure. In fact, you may prefer finding bizarre artifacts rather than valuable ones in the end. Somedetectoristsprefer the weird over the expensive for their coolness. This article takes a look at some of the weirder items found duringmetal detectorsearches.
Unusual finds like atreasure troveare something that mostmetal detectoristsmight hope to turn up once in a lifetime. Others like theStaffordshire Hoard, currently at theBritish Museum, or theSutton Hootreasurescan be both historic, unusual and priceless. That is the exciting thing about thishobby, you just never know what you will find! In our article onCivil War erafinds like those believed to be in theConfederate Goldtreasure, we discuss that there are strange stories and myths surrounding them. In this article we explore the top twelve weirdest finds made by metaldetector.com customers over the past decade!
12. Stolen Handgun
Mike Walker got the chance to assist Kalamazoopolicedetectives in 2013 in thesearch for a loaded handgun. The gun had been thrown in an area of thick grass. On a cold, snowy day, Walker and a group of fellowdetectoristssearched the area and found the handgun. The gun was a fully loaded Ruger 380 with a built-in laser sight. Mostly made from plastic, the gun was difficult todetect, but Walker detected it.
11. Space Iron
David Eichner Sr was searching a Civil War Battlefield for artifacts and relics. Common targets if this era include buckles andbuttonsas well as an occasionalcannonballor two. Militaryshacklesand ahelmetare not unusual finds from this era. In this story, using his Bounty Hunter Goldmetal detector, he located an object nine inches underground. Eichner dug down to find two pieces of space iron. At the time, he didn’t know what it was, but after taking it to an archeologist, Eichner found out it wasa piece of iron that fell to Earth millions of years ago. Now, that is one weirdmetal detectorfind. It is interesting to note that during the American Civil War, eleven southern states which left the Union in 1861 fought against theUnited Statesof America. Slavery was the main cause of the long-lasting disagreement that began the conflict.
10. Sputnik Sinkers
Sputnik sinkers are used by many fishermen around the world. The little devices have four metal hooks coming off of a central piece. David Monsenlocated two of these large Sputnik sinkerswhile searching Nags Head, North Carolina in July 2014. Had someone stepped on one, it would have been a trip to the hospital and a tetanus shot. This shows the exceptional good that hobbyists can do just by disposing of their trash along the way. Sputnik is the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union. This ushered in the Space Age. Sputnik is named after the Russian word for satellite, and it was launched at 10:29 p.m. from the Tyuratam launch site in Kazakhstan.
9.ZincDental Work
Weirdmetal detectorfinds aren’t always common and some can be downright strange. In 2016, Sonya Harshman located azincdental impression dating back to the 1800s. It was an incredible find and first for Harshman. Giuseppangelo Fonzi discovered the mineral tooth in 1806 and contributed greatly to implant dentistry. He developed single synthetic teeth that were implantable directly into the socket and chemically inert.
8. Husband and WifeTreasureHunting Duo
Kirk and Toni Griffin are a competitivehusband and wifetreasurehunting duo. According to Toni, Kirk is the one that makes weirdmetal detectorfinds. On one search, Kirk found a 1960s Kenmore sewing machine buried 12 inches down at the entrance to a beach. The duo’s stories oftreasurehunting led to them landing the cover of an issue of Western & EasternTreasuresMagazine. Steve, Rosemary, and Logan Anderson of Western & Eastern Magazine are dedicated to preserving and promoting thehobbyby encouraging all their readers to adhere to theTreasureHunters' Code of Ethics.
7. A Lock
Caleb Haddam made an exciting find during a search. Haddam’s weirdmetal detectorfinds don’t get any stranger than the lock he located. Therusted, silver lock has a triangle logo on it, but nothing else to determine where it came from. Haddam also noted the lock being connected to what appears to be a chain clasp. Abraham O. Stansbury received a patent in England in 1805 for a double-acting pin tumbler lock, though Linus Yale Sr. invented the modern version in 1848. Locks are a common and important part of our lives today, no matter how unusual or odd their shapes may be.
6. A Strange Piece of Copper
Jack Hart made some strange finds on his property in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Hart’s weirdmetal detectorfinds included a10-inch by six-inch piece of copper sheeting. As he dug down into a nine-inch hole, Hart located another piece of copper. The piece was six inches tall and circular. It weighed about six pounds and Hart had no idea what his weirdmetal detectorfinds were.
5. A Pocket Wood Cutting Wedge?
Tony Monti lives in Massachusetts, one of America’s oldest states. In 2018, Monti dug around a property built in the 1970s. Next door to the property is another house which was built in 1700s. During thedig, Monti located awedge-shaped device. It is believed the artifact was a pocket wood cutting wedge.
4. Mystery Items in New York
Years ago, while search his grandfather’s yard in New York,detectoristFrank came upon someweirdmetal detectorfinds. The metal pieces are straight but meet at 90-degree angles. The peculiarmetal detectorfinds have left Frank and others unsure of what they are or what they were used for. One thought was the items were pieces of a gun.
3. CanadianCoinFarm
John Harvey has made some excellent finds over the years. One of the best he has made came in Ontario, Canada. Searching a farm that dates back to the 1820s, Harvey found a number of hot spots on the property. The farm’shot spots yielded a number ofcoinsfrom the 1800s. Harvey hopes to go back to the farm and search the full 800-acre property further. There is no telling what exciting and weirdmetal detectorfinds will be found.
2. 1950s Toy Gun
Using a Fisher CZ 70 Pro to search his Sanford, North Carolina property, Wayne’smetal detectormade a loudcoinhit. He began todigexpecting to fund some old junk from the building of the 1946-constructed home. Instead, Wayne discovered a handle and pulled out an old gun. The weirdmetal detectorfind turned out to bean old cap gun from the 1950s.
1.AntiqueToy Gun
James Resinger receivedpermissionto search the property of a 1909 house in Elma, Washington. During a two-hour hunt, he found a number ofcoinswith oldest dating back to the 1920s. His weirdmetal detectorfinds were a golf club money clip and more significant, anantiquetoy gun.The old cast iron toy was made in the 1930s. In pictures taken by Resinger, it looked almost as good as new. It is interesting to note that American inventor Edward Lewis first marketed a toy gun in 1846 that used air pressure to fire a small projectile out of a barrel by means of a pump or spring lever. Over the next few decades, his invention underwent many improvements, and the toy gun has remained a favorite toy of generations of children to this day.
One Last Spectacular Find: A Hand-Shaped Gold Nugget
960 ounces of gold was found using ametal detectorinthe Hand of Faith, thelargest gold nuggetever found. Located inAustralia's Kingower region, it was found in September 1980 byKevin Hillier. It was located with aGarrettmetal detector. A replica of the nugget is in the GarrettTreasuremuseum in Garland, Texas. Golden Nugget Las Vegas is currently displaying the original nugget at its public display area in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the biggest gold nugget in existence and is the second-biggest ever discovered using ametal detector.
Metal detectingisn’t just about finding expensive items andtreasures. Some of the best items are the weirdmetal detectingfinds that will come out of the ground when you least expect it. A simple search can yield some very interesting pieces. You may not find a life-changingtreasure, but you could discover an interesting piece just as valuable as something more expensive. While a story about a whoppingtwo-pound meteormay make the news, it is a fact thatmeteorites are being found withmetal detectorsall the time. The truth is you just never know what the next odd item that might come up out of the ground might be!
Related Articles:
- 10 Best HistoricalMetal DetectingFinds
- 12 BestBeach MetalDetecting Finds
I am an avid metal detecting enthusiast with a wealth of firsthand expertise in the field. Over the years, I've explored various terrains, from beaches to historical sites, unearthing a diverse range of artifacts and treasures. My passion for metal detecting goes beyond the conventional discoveries of coins and jewelry, leading me to uncover some truly peculiar and fascinating items.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article, showcasing the weirdest metal detector finds:
12. Stolen Handgun
In 2013, detectorist Mike Walker assisted Kalamazoo police in locating a loaded handgun thrown in thick grass. The handgun, a Ruger 380 with a built-in laser sight, was difficult to detect due to its plastic composition.
11. Space Iron
David Eichner Sr discovered two pieces of space iron while searching a Civil War battlefield. The iron, found nine inches underground, turned out to be a piece that fell to Earth millions of years ago, adding a unique twist to historical artifact hunting.
10. Sputnik Sinkers
Detectorist David Monsen found two large Sputnik sinkers in Nags Head, North Carolina, in 2014. These devices, with four metal hooks, are commonly used by fishermen. The discovery highlights how hobbyists can contribute positively by disposing of potentially hazardous items.
9. Zinc Dental Work
In 2016, Sonya Harshman unearthed a zinc dental impression dating back to the 1800s. This strange find provides a glimpse into the history of implant dentistry and showcases the diverse range of items that can be uncovered with a metal detector.
8. Husband and Wife Treasure Hunting Duo
Kirk and Toni Griffin, a competitive husband-and-wife treasure hunting duo, have made peculiar finds, such as a buried 1960s Kenmore sewing machine. Their stories have even landed them on the cover of Western & Eastern Treasures Magazine.
7. A Lock
Caleb Haddam discovered a rusted silver lock during a search, raising questions about its origin and purpose. The find emphasizes that even commonplace items like locks can become intriguing discoveries in the world of metal detecting.
6. A Strange Piece of Copper
Jack Hart unearthed a 10-inch by six-inch piece of copper sheeting on his property in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. The nature of this strange copper find remains a mystery, adding an element of curiosity to the hobby.
5. A Pocket Wood Cutting Wedge?
Tony Monti discovered a wedge-shaped device on a property built in the 1970s, believed to be a pocket wood cutting wedge. The juxtaposition of historical and modern artifacts in the same location highlights the layers of history waiting to be uncovered.
4. Mystery Items in New York
Frank, while searching his grandfather's yard in New York, found metal pieces with 90-degree angles, leaving the detectorist and others unsure of their purpose. The mystery surrounding these items adds an element of intrigue to the hunt.
3. Canadian Coin Farm
John Harvey uncovered coins from the 1800s on a farm in Ontario, Canada, dating back to the 1820s. This find showcases the potential for historical discoveries in unexpected locations.
2. 1950s Toy Gun
Wayne, using a Fisher CZ 70 Pro, discovered an old cap gun from the 1950s on his Sanford, North Carolina property. The unexpected nature of this find highlights the element of surprise in metal detecting.
1. Antique Toy Gun
James Resinger found an antique toy gun on a 1909 property in Elma, Washington, showcasing the historical depth that can be uncovered during a metal detecting excursion.
Hand-Shaped Gold Nugget
The article concludes with the mention of the Hand of Faith, the largest gold nugget ever found using a metal detector. This exceptional find, weighing 960 ounces, emphasizes the potential for extraordinary discoveries in the world of metal detecting.
In summary, metal detecting transcends the search for conventional treasures, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to uncover a wide array of weird and historically significant artifacts. The stories shared in the article highlight the unpredictable and fascinating nature of this hobby.
