Mediocre Hunt Saved By A Cool B&O Baggage Tag

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!

Great to see your Dad , Tony and very nice to hear about the hunt ! congrats on the silver and baggage check

Love the tag Tony. What machines were you and your dad using 56 years ago?

Those are great memories to make Tony with your Dad

Love the RR Tag!

Lodge Scent said:

Love the tag Tony. What machines were you and your dad using 56 years ago?

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Garrett "The Hunter" and I still have it!

That is cool !

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?

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