Greetings from Virginia

[Finster]

Hello Folks,
I am new to this addictive hobby and hope to get out as soon as the ground thaws out.
My Christmas present was a long awaited metal detector, a Fisher F4. I have been out three times and found $2.84 in coins and two unidentified metal objects. But it was so much fun!
I am knocking on the door of 50, but still have a youthful spirit and find this hobby fascinating. I grew up and still live in Manassas, VA. An area rich with civil war history, but mostly untouchable. Hopefully will have permission to hunt private land in several areas this Spring.
Thank you in advace for all of the great tips that I have seen already. This seems like a friendly site with alot of helpful people on it.
Thank you,
Ray

[Longhair]

Welcome to your new addiction Ray! :waving:

You've got a good machine, and it sounds like you're off to a good start. Keep us posted on what you find.

[coinnut]

Welcome aboard Ray. You live in a great area to metal detect, but I'm guessing no detecting on public land :thumbsdown: Hopefully there will be some private land you can enjoy the hobby while preserving history. Don't worry about closing in on 50 :lol: You will not wear out for a while ;)

[Digger Don]

Welcome from Northern Illinois.
This was my first year and I'm 55.
I find it to be very relaxing ( although my knees may disagree)
Good luck in 2014

[aloldstuff]

good to have you on board. When the ground thaws looking forward to your finds.

[Skamaniac]

Welcome from Washington state. :waving: I wish I was still knocking on 50's door! I kicked it open and have been wandering around inside for a while now. See, the nice part of that is when I find a relic it's probably one that I lost in my 20's!

[del]

Hello Ray :waving: welcome to the forum. we have another Ray (Kray) from Virginia on this forum (who is a great guy by the way ) . hopefully you two aren't to far from each other and can meet up some time and do some detecting. again welcome to the hobby and to the forum.

Dan

[OxShoeDrew]

I loved that cartoon! Welcome to the group. It seems as though you have a good start and are well on your way. Nice amount of coins for a few hunts....but remember, "don't play with the dirty money!" :lol:

[Finster]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. Here is my unidentified object from an old woodlot next to the school where I work. The area will be bulldozed this Spring for more houses. I did ask the construction foreman for permission and he said fine with him. At first I thought it might be a door knocker, but then on the backside it looks like part of it is bent over. Maybe something that went into the ground? It is cast iron and heavy, about 7" long and 3" wide at the crossbar. Any ideas what it could be? This was about 8 inches in the ground and I was so excited that I actually pulled something out.3646636467

[del]

its a "tooth" off a sickle blade brush mower

[Finster]

Thank you. I had no idea. BUT it was my first piece of iron so I will keep it!

[del]

its actually fits in between the teeth and part of the centergard as in this link
http://www.agrisupply.com/dm-center-guard-bar-for-ihc-mower/p/20226/&utm_source=SSIDE&utm_medium=NaturalSS&utm_campaign=SSIDE/

[Finster]

Wow, that is exactly what it is.
Thanks del!

[del]

Glad i could help Ray :)

[Timewarpdigger]

Welcome to the hobby and to the forum. There's certainly plenty of history in your neighborhood. Lived in that area for three years and loved the history. A bit of research and you will find plenty of areas to detect. Good luck, safe & HH.

[Fire Fighter 43]

Welcome to the forum and hobby Ray from SE Wisconsin. Your in a great area for relic hunting, good luck and happy hunting.

[Boulder]

Hello and Welcome to the forum from John in NJ... :)

[tanacat]

Welcome from Kentucky :waving: Sorry to be so late with a "howdy" :)

Looking forward to seeing finds from your neck of the woods!

Tana

[jbolf6]

Welcome Ray! Good to have you on board. Please post pics of your finds. I am anxious to see them.