MD question

[WeaponUSMC]

I know all machines are differant in what they read when you go over a relic, But in CW relic hunting what do buckles and buttons come up under for you, to be honest I have no clue as to weather a buckle is made up of steel, lead, copper or what. thanks...HH....Bill

[NB Digger]

It depends on the buckle Bill. Most CW period buckles were made of brass and some were brass with a lead back and iron hooks. Some were also all iron. Nicer civilian buckles I have dug were all silver....but they were usually very small buckles...like suspender or sash buckles. Military buckles of the period you can usually count on being brass with lead backing. the two pics I am posting show a Brass Eagle Breast plate with a lead back and then 2 Carbine (brass) Sling buckles. I hope this helps!

[NB Digger]

After re-reading your post Bill I realized that I may not have fully answered your question. I use a Fisher 1270 to detect and put my discrimination setting to about 6. Which is a fairly middle of the dial setting. It will rule out most large iron and is great for brass and lead. In junkier areas I might set it a bit higher.
Travis

[WeaponUSMC]

you answered all my questions in one shot

[NB Digger]

Glad I could help!