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View Full Version : Mediocre Hunt Saved By A Cool B&O Baggage Tag



Tony Two-Cent
03-08-2024, 04:39 PM
I went to visit my dad yesterday and he said, "Be sure to bring your metal detector" so I did. He didn't have a specific site in mind so we ended up trying our luck at a grassy strip between the main street and railroad tracks in his small hometown.

There weren't many finds but I did find a couple of silver dimes. They were pitted and tarnished which is common for silver found next to the railroad tracks. Also got a 1925 Wheat Cent.

The highlight of the day was a B&O.S.W.R.Y. baggage tag. It was about 8" deep and produced a screaming signal. It says, "PLEASE SEND THIS CHECK TO YOUR GEN'L BAGG. AGT. AT ONCE TO BE RETURNED TO GEN. PASSENGER AGENT". It is 2 1/8" x 2 3/4" and made of heavy brass. I'm not sure of its age but I think it's from the late 1890s or early 1900s. This was an extra special find because my dad worked for the B&O Railroad for 26 years. He was super thrilled with this relic!

I cherish every moment that I get to spend with my dad. At age 84 he is as sharp as ever. He's the guy who got me into metal detecting 56 years ago!

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del
03-08-2024, 07:23 PM
Great to see your Dad , Tony and very nice to hear about the hunt ! congrats on the silver and baggage check

Lodge Scent
03-10-2024, 04:00 PM
Love the tag Tony. What machines were you and your dad using 56 years ago?

The Rebel
03-11-2024, 06:07 AM
Those are great memories to make Tony with your Dad

Love the RR Tag!

Tony Two-Cent
03-11-2024, 07:51 AM
Love the tag Tony. What machines were you and your dad using 56 years ago?

Garrett "The Hunter" and I still have it!

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Lodge Scent
03-11-2024, 10:00 AM
That is cool !

Digger_O'Dell
03-12-2024, 05:08 PM
That's certainly a museum piece! But, I really question how that old Garrett machine worked being mounted to an aluminum pole by those big metal angle brackets?

BTV Digger
03-17-2024, 12:56 PM
Such a nice story and tag, Tony! Way to go. Being the seasoned detectorist you are, if I were you, I would be tempted to take that old machine to some modern day group seeded dig and kick everyone's butt by finding the most stuff. I bet that thing can still find the goods if you know what you're listening for!

John