Not Just Another Breastplate

Although it was recovered in pieces, the author knew right away that he had recovered a Union army eagle breastplate. What he didn’t know was that it was a much scarcer variation than most.
By Tom Loborec

My Richest Site
To find a good site to dig history, many people will read journals and diaries, consult maps and satellite imagery, and may spend most of the day getting there. Other times you stumble onto a good site in the middle of civilization.
By Chip Kirkpatrick

A Token of Love
It was a common practice in centuries past to engrave a coin with special meaning for a loved one to wear. While most just sport initials, this one has much more meaning, hinting at the person’s occupation.
By Brian Hanson

Interview with Artist, Historian, & Detectorist Don Troiani
Any student of military art will recognize his name and his paintings. As well, relic hunters will recognize his books on Revolutionary War buttons and plates. We were honored to interview him about all this and more.
By Butch Holcombe

That’s Where I’d Be!
According to official records, Union General Dodge said, “We are going into camp ten miles from the town of Dallas.” Despite having no luck locating it for years, this relic hunter may have finally found it.
By Gerald “Poochie” Cole

A Lucky Day in Ashland
Confederate Navy buttons occasionally turn up at inland sites where the sailors lived or visited during leave. Still, it came as quite a shock to this detectorist to dig a CSN button at a landlocked house site.
By David Farrugia

CHASING SHERMAN

A chance encounter with a seasoned detectorist led to a series of surprises as the author, his friend, and his brother discovered many Civil War artifacts in a long-forgotten Union camp deep in the woods of South Carolina.

By Ken Kyte

The Williams “Cleaner” bullet: It’s not what you may think

The Williams Patent bullet has been misunderstood by relic hunters for many years. Learn the real story as a noted authority on Civil War ammunition gives us the rundown about these odd-looking bullets.

By Jim Thomas

American Digger® Goes to England: Spring 2025

Once again, American Digger® returns to the Butley Priory of Suffolk Sandlands, England, for a detecting adventure. And this time, a Bronze Age hoard of great significance is found!

By Jeff Lubbert