Here is one of the great things about metal detecting, you never really know exactly what you will recover!

While I was searching a playground a while ago, I came up with the usual coins. A nickel here, a dime there, maybe some pennies and quarters. I was searching this area, my mind was wondering and then I get a good solid signal from my trusty Bounty Hunter Tracker IV. I did the usual and pinpointed the target, got down on my knees and started digging. I dug about 7 inches down, deeper than most coins that I have found at playgrounds and I pull out a large black tube. Upon first inspection, I was sure that I had found a nice piece of garbage and tossed it into my loot bag. When I threw it in, I saw something different and realized that it was a rather large bullet casing or bullet shell. Hmmmmmm I wondered. Why would this be underneath a playground? The heat was on and I was getting tired so I took my finds home.

When I got home I decided to clean the casing. First I started with an old toothbrush, removing all of the soil and crud. That did pretty good but not enough for me so I tried soaking one end in vinegar which is a mild acid. 20 Minutes later and I was able to see some marking on the shell casing.

While I was waiting for the vinegar to clean, I hopped on the computer and researched the area I had found this casing. The playground sits right on the shore of the intercoastal waterway. Directly to the north and west is an old fort. This fort was used during several wars as a defense against boats coming ashore.

Now I know absolutely nothing about bullets. This casing is 3.5 inches long and 3/4 of an inch wide. It is stamped on the back, L S , 48 or 43. If you might know what this bullet casing is, leave a comment and let me know!

Bullet casing found with Bounty Hunter Tracker IV

Let’s take a look at what my Bounty hunter tracker IV has found.

I started metal detecting about 3 months ago. My son had a cheap child detector that we used in the backyard recovering nails and screws and I thought to myself, this could be fun if I had a better metal detector. Being that I was just starting metal detecting, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money but I wanted to get a decent metal detector so I did some research and found the Bounty Hunter to be within my price range. I got it for right around 100 bucks and so my new hobby or addiction had begun!

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV

I started off getting to know my new detector by using it in my backyard. It was fairly easy. I just turned it on and started moving the coil back and forth as I walked very slowly through my yard, then it happened, the metal detector beeped! I went back over th area where it beeped trying to determine exactly where the buried item was. I started by xing a target. I would swing the coil from right to left and then away from me and then towards me until I had a good idea of where it was. I got out my little garden trowel and began to dig waving the coil over the piles of earth and back over the target area until I had the signal out of the ground. Low and behold it was a quarter! I was hooked! I thought to myself wow there must be money all over the yard, then my thoughts started to wander and I thought what about playgrounds or even the beach!

Over the next few months I found so much stuff! Garbage, money, some war relics, some jewelry. I was amazed at how much stuff I had found and think of what you can find in your neck of the woods. I would reccomend the Bounty Hunter Tracker IV to anyone just starting in this hobby. You can get one right here!

Take a look at all of this money I found!

Coins found with a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV

So yes I found all of this change but have I found anything else, anything more valuable???? Yes I have and if you stay tuned to this blog, I will be sharing all of my finds!

As Always comments are encouraged and welcome!