Each month the Facebook group Metal Detecting Maryland (MDM) holds a contest and votes for the Find of The Month. They select between 10 or more photos that are submitted for their Wall of Fame and the winning photos are voted on by the MDM members to determine the “Find of The Month“. To learn more about the contest click here.
March Votes Are In!
Of the 16 photos chosen for the Wall of Fame, only one was voted as the Find of The Month. The item that received the most votes was a pair of Civil War Binoculars (pictured below). This amazing find was recovered by:
Alan Dodson
Alan found the binoculars while detecting south of Gettysburg on some high ground. There were buried deep and it took him 4 attempts to find these binoculars but he managed to get them out in one piece. These binoculars have been lost for over 150 years! Who did they belong to and what did they see? If we could only go back in time… What an AMAZING find. Congrats to Alan! You can see more images of the binoculars below.
More About Alan From his own words
How long have you been metal detecting?
Alan: 12 years
What was the first machine you ever used?
Alan: Fisher F75
What is your favorite metal detector and what do you like about the machine the most?
Alan: Garrett At max. I like the all metal mode on this machine. Sometimes when digging deep targets you can loose a signal after you dig a little deeper then the plug. Switching over to all metal mode this machine will sniff it out for sure. Found that 1832 half dime (see below) that way. It was well over a foot down and I found it with the stock coil.
Who inspired you to get into metal detecting?
Alan: My father read more about that story here.
What do you consider to be your best find metal detecting?
Alan: I would have to say the binoculars. They are the most historical find that I have ever made. Just wondering about what was seen through the those lenses before being lost 157 years ago is mind blowing to me.
What is your favorite type of detecting?
Alan: Civil war relics. The more personalized an item the better. Cut bullets and game pieces are some of my favorites.
Name 5 items you would like to find this year?
Alan: Civil War ID Badge. CS Buckle, CS button, Sutler Token. Gold coin.
Do you have other social media links, channels etc. you want to share on your page?
Alan: My friends over at Historic Rescue. They have had some amazing finds over the last 3 months and we had a blast in South Carolina earlier this year. Detecting with friends is way cooler when finds can be shared with each other as soon as they come out of the ground. To be there to share that historical moment is pretty bad ass. You can find the group on Facebook by going here.
Check Out Some of Alan’s Favorite Finds.
March 2020 Wall of Fame Winners.
In March, 16 photos were selected and featured as our Facebook group Wall of Fame Winners. These winning photos were transformed into the group’s wall art (see the image above). The Wall of Fame Winners are featured below to include which machine they were using and where they found their item. March was an amazing month for metal detecting.
Who is on the Wall of Fame in March?
Jason Jones – 1500’s Elizabeth 1st Hammered Coin found on the Easter Shore of Maryland using a Garrett AT Pro.
Mike Mancuso – Civil War Cartridge Box Plate found in Montgomery County, Maryland using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Mike Hitch – 1797 Charles IV Half Reale found in Sumerset County, Maryland using a Garrett AT Pro.
George G. Desch II – 1922 Peace Dollar found in Dundalk, Maryland using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Doug Goodyear – 1800’s Navy Button found on the Eastern Shore of Maryland using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Andy Snell – 1840’s Belgium Boot Pistol Barrel found in York, PA using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Doug Smith – A pair of Civil War buttons (1 Rifleman and 1 Artillery) found in Adams County, PA using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Gary Persinger – A Civil War era Austrian Lorenz .54 cal musket found in Fayette County, WV using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Phillip Kemmerlin – A 1853 Trime/3 Cent Piece found in Dorchester County, MD using a Minelab Equinox 600.
Mike McCullough – A one piece convex Phoenix Regiment Button (1810) from Haiti found in Baltimore, MD using a Minelab Equinox 600.
Michael Mancuso – A $2.50 Gold Piece (Front and back shown) found in Montgomery County, MD using a Minelab Equinox 800.
Kevin Doud – 1861 Trime/3 Cent Piece found in Berks County, PA using the XP Deus.
Jason Morgan – A 1806 “over 5” Draped Bust Quarter found in Frederick, MD using a Garrett AT Max.
Hal Jenkins – 1st year Binghamton NY Police Button found in Tioga County, NY using a Garrett AT Pro.
Anthony Bogdan – Chinese Cast Bronze Coin dating back between 1644-1661 found in Baltimore, MD using a Minelab Equinox 800.
How Do You Get on Our Wall of Fame?
Join us on Facebook! Request membership now by clicking HERE.
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