It was mid to late morning on a Friday in December 2021 and the day warmed up nicely. So I decided to fire up the Nox and hit an area that I've been over several times before. I parked the truck, dawned my gear, fired up the Nox, and away I went. I hadn't gone very far when I had an unusually high sound and above the normal numerical range in the box. I thought probably an old bottle cap or something in that form. I almost didn't dig it but thought it's not very deep and curiosity took over. The first shovel and I was striking a large rock that was about 6 inches deep. Out pops a Pennsylvania National Guard button. Now I've dug several in this area before, but this thing was in perfect shape and intact! So I dug a couple of round balls but the button was weighing heavy on my mind. How well will this button clean up? So home I went to see what it would look like cleaned. It surpassed my expectations, to say the least! What do you think?
By: Greg C.
What Made This Find Special
Greg's story highlights what every relic hunter dreams of - finding that perfect specimen that's been preserved underground for decades. Military buttons from the Pennsylvania National Guard era don't always survive in such pristine condition. The fact that this one emerged practically intact speaks to both the burial conditions and Greg's careful recovery technique.
The high tone and unusual numerical reading on the Equinox 800 is exactly what you'd expect from a brass or bronze military button. These signals often get dismissed as trash, but experienced detectorists know that military artifacts can produce some surprising target IDs.
Minelab Equinox 800 Performance on Military Relics
The Equinox 800 continues to prove itself as one of the best relic hunting machines available. Its multi-frequency technology excels at separating good targets from iron trash in old homesteads and military sites where Pennsylvania National Guard units might have been stationed.
Greg's experience of getting readings "above the normal numerical range" demonstrates how the Equinox can identify deep or unusual targets that other detectors might miss. The 800's target ID system gives you enough information to make smart digging decisions, even on questionable signals.
Key Detecting Tips from This Find
- Don't dismiss high-tone signals that seem out of range - they could be deep military artifacts
- Trust your detector's performance in areas you've hunted before - targets get missed all the time
- Take your time with recovery when you hit a promising signal
- Clean finds carefully to reveal their true historical value
Cleaning and Preserving Military Button Finds
Greg's careful approach to cleaning this Pennsylvania National Guard button paid off beautifully. The before and after photos show just how much detail was hiding under decades of soil and oxidation. Military buttons require gentle cleaning to preserve the fine details of insignia and text.
For buttons like this, start with gentle soap and soft brushes before moving to any chemical cleaners. The goal is always preservation of historical detail, not making it look brand new.
Why Multi-Frequency Detectors Excel at Relic Sites
Stories like Greg's demonstrate why serious relic hunters choose multi-frequency machines like the Equinox 800. These detectors can process multiple frequencies simultaneously, giving you better target separation in trashy sites where military units operated.
Pennsylvania has countless sites where National Guard units trained or were stationed throughout history. These locations often have heavy iron contamination from camp debris, making target separation crucial for finding quality artifacts like military buttons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Military Button Finds
How deep was this Pennsylvania National Guard button found?
Greg mentions hitting a rock at about 6 inches, which is typical depth for military buttons in most soil conditions. The Equinox 800 can detect buttons much deeper depending on size and soil mineralization.
What other military artifacts might be found in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's rich military history means you could find Civil War relics, WWI training camp artifacts, or items from various National Guard activities. Always research local history and get proper permissions.
Should I clean military button finds immediately?
Like Greg, it's best to get buttons home safely before attempting any cleaning. Proper cleaning techniques preserve the historical value and can reveal amazing detail that's not visible in the field.
Greg's find proves that patience, good equipment, and careful technique can still produce amazing discoveries. The Equinox 800's performance on this Pennsylvania National Guard button shows why it remains a top choice for serious relic hunters.
