Thread: Straight Razor found with metal detector in town famous for a civil war battle.

As an aside some razors were used to cut the greased cloth patches clean
after setting the ball in the muzzle of a muzzleloader.

When used as a knife the sharpening could have been aggressive and
challenging from the shaving point of view. Reenactors could prove
to be a wealth of knowledge on this point. They may also be the source
of the lost blade not the battle especially considering the condition.

Thanks for all the fast input! I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can. It may be a few days. As far as the condition of the blade and handle, he said they were covered in mud when he found it. But he was able to get everything cleaned off. And the "N" being the missing letter makes sense because while I was looking at it I kept thinking it was either an "N" or an "M". Pictures to come.

Originally Posted by jnbbkwsk

Thanks for all the fast input! I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can. It may be a few days. As far as the condition of the blade and handle, he said they were covered in mud when he found it. But he was able to get everything cleaned off. And the "N" being the missing letter makes sense because while I was looking at it I kept thinking it was either an "N" or an "M". Pictures to come.

Thanks, BTW, what state are you in, and was it found on a particular battlefield site ?

We're in West Tennessee. From what I know, there were dozens of skirmishes in the area during the Civil War because of its proximity to a vital railroad. Records show that both Union and Confederate troops were active in the area for almost the entire war.

Originally Posted by jnbbkwsk

We're in West Tennessee. From what I know, there were dozens of skirmishes in the area during the Civil War because of its proximity to a vital railroad. Records show that both Union and Confederate troops were active in the area for almost the entire war.

Where bouts in West TN? I'm in Bells currently, near Jackson, TN. Grew up in Brownsville, though. But yeah, lots of potential places it could have been found in this region, as there was a lot of activity during that time, like you mentioned.

I can see it now... hundreds of straight razor collectors scanning the ground with metal detectors all over the world.

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

I can see it now... hundreds of straight razor collectors scanning the ground with metal detectors all over the world.

Metal detectors are illegal here.

Originally Posted by Lemur

Metal detectors are illegal here.

Why? The blades of old would never survive being buried in any type of soil being of 100% carbon steel for more than a few weeks without major damage, still awaiting pics from the O.P.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Why? The blades of old would never survive being buried in any type of soil being of 100% carbon steel for more than a few weeks without major damage, still awaiting pics from the O.P.

This island is littered with gold and silver treasures from the viking age, that's why!
A farmer here once found a wooden box with tools in it, a little rusty but he brushed them off and used them... until they found that they where from around year 900.
Some of them are still in a remarkable good shape.

Originally Posted by Lemur

Metal detectors are illegal here.

not a night ..
if i can stop buying razors my next purchase is gonna be a good detector ... there strict around here unless you can get on some private property ..


as far as the post goes i cant wait to see this razor .. it is a great story !!