On my second hunt of the weekend, I visited a spot that I found on an old map. This area is actually a park now, but on early maps it shows that a house and two barns sat on this property.

I actually found two neat items there, but the other one will be on my next blog. I was detecting where the old house would have been, right next to a tree when my Fisher F2 sounded off what is usually a dime tone.

I dug down next to the tree, through some roots and was having a hard time finding the dime. I figured that it was in the roots somewhere, but my pinpointer kept saying that it was shallow and that I had already dug past the target.

Winchester No. 10 Brass Shotshell Head Stamp

That’s when I realized that the target was actually in the side of the plug. I dug into the side of the plug a little bit, and found the this: All Brass Winchester No. 10 Shotgun Shell. I have seen pictures of all brass shells before, but this is the first complete one that I have personally dug.

Winchester No. 10 Brass Shotshell Side

It’s in pretty good shape for being a dug example, and I am pleased to see that the end of it is still round!

Winchester No. 10 Brass Shotshell Full

From my research, I have learned that Winchester No. All brass shells were made from 1879-1949. Two different “text sizes” were manufactured. Basically the only way to narrow the date down any closer is to compare with other items found in the immediate area.

Winchester No. 10 Vintage Ad Showing Date Range of 1879-1949

I do know that the map of this area is from the early 1900’s. But that’s not to say that the shell isn’t from the late 1800’s, and in my opinion, it probably is.

Winchester No. 10 Brass Shotshell size Comparison

As I mentioned, I also found another brass item in this area, and I believe that item to be an early Trigger Guard off of some type of firearm, (Will show that item in Next Blog) which is what makes me believe that this Shotgun Shell is also a very early example.

Winchester No. 10 Brass Shotshell with Possible Trigger Guard

Either way, it is a neat find, and I was excited to pull this out of the dirt. In my opinion, this is a very nice example of Shotshell History, One that I am pleased to have rescued to share with my blog followers and future generations.

Thanks for reading my fellow dig fellas. Remember, when in doubt dig it out. This “dime” signal turned out to be an even more exciting find than just another dime!

HAPPY HUNTING!!!