I was relic hunting in New Hope area and came across a steel item that looks like a sword hanger for a belt. my concern is that most of these were made of brass and this one is steel. There are no visible markings as the steel has rusted. Any help would be appreciated.

I found this 8 pounder cannon ball in my yard which is old farm land on the west side of Lawrence, Kansas. I'm thinking it's from the Quantrill's Raiders or Civil War time period. I'd like to have it difused but don't know who I can take it to. A local bomb squad officer said if he looked at it and determined it was a live shell he'd have to confiscate it to destroy. Is there anyone in this area?

  Found at what was told was old slave quarters. Out in a pasture. Just want to know what it is. It says,

H.W. Elliott

Estill Mo.

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I am a rookie in the sport of metal detecting and looking for some advice on a good metal detector that can detect items greater than 8". I have property where the first battle of Kernstown was fought and was farmed for many years. I have found two mini balls and two pocket knives (not sure if they are CW era or not yet) and feel I'm missing items that are deeper than what I am detecting. Any help would be much appreciated.

Barry thoroughly enjoyed your site and much to look at.Im from florida but sorry to say very few civil war antique shops.I had a small space rented from webbs antiques in winter park but he moved to lake city fl.I carried small supply bullets couple cannon balls and they all sold in an instant,I~ also have a couple pin fire pistols still stored away.If ever I decide to invest in civil war relics I would enjoy talking with you.There is great demand for civil war relics down here.There is a ft cummings in lake alfred fl. right around the corner from my home but very little info on it.All I know is it existed during the indian war.There is much history in fl. from st augustine to key west but where are the civil war shops,I wonder if the fading economy was the culpret.There are flea markets and when they do carry relics most of them are fake.Well  nice chatting with you and sure would enjoy selling and talking with the real civil war buffs .gratefully John Barbarine