I’ll never forget the first time my detector signaled a find at an old Revolutionary War camp. Brushing away the soil, I uncovered a brass button bearing the faint insignia of a Continental regiment. In that moment, history wasn’t just words on a page—it was tangible, real, and resting in my palm.
Many detectorists share this passion for connecting with America’s founding era. A veteran detectorist once told me during a hunt near West Point, “Once you’ve held something a Revolutionary soldier once touched, it gets in your blood—hard to shake.”
Navigating the Legal Maze
Let’s be honest—detecting Revolutionary War sites requires understanding a complex web of laws. Federal protections are particularly strict. You simply can’t detect on National Parks, Monuments, or official Revolutionary War Battlefields—full stop. I learned this lesson early when a park ranger at Valley Forge politely but firmly explained the Antiquities Act and Archaeological Resources Protection Act to me.
Beyond federal sites, each of the original thirteen colonies has its own approach to metal detecting. Massachusetts tends to be more accommodating on certain public lands (with proper permissions), while Pennsylvania has stricter limitations. I’ve had to maintain a state-by-state notebook of regulations, which I update regularly after calling local authorities.
The infamous “100-year rule” further complicates matters. Since this prohibits removing man-made items over a century old from public lands, virtually all Revolutionary War artifacts (now about 250 years old) fall under this protection.
Finding Your Way to Private Land Permissions
My most productive hunts have always been on private properties adjacent to known historical sites. After striking out repeatedly on public lands, I changed tactics.
A member of the Susquehanna Metal Detecting Club, shared his approach: “I bring historical maps to the landowner, show them where troops likely camped on their property, and offer to share both finds and history. Nine times out of ten, they’re intrigued enough to say yes.”
This strategy works. I’ve developed relationships with several property owners near historical sites who now call me whenever they’re plowing fields or removing old stumps.
Local detecting clubs provide invaluable connections too. When I joined the Maryland Artifact Recovery Society, doors opened immediately. Fellow members introduced me to landowners with properties near Revolutionary sites who had already granted permissions to trusted detectorists.
Northern Colonial Hunting Grounds
The northern colonies offer rich detecting opportunities if you know where to look. In Massachusetts, I’ve had particular success around Dogtown on Cape Ann. This area has a unique Revolutionary connection—women kept dogs for protection while their husbands fought in the war, giving the settlement its colorful name.
After researching at the local historical society, I secured permission from a farmer whose family has owned land there since the 1800s. My finds included several copper coins and, most memorably, a hand-forged shoe buckle likely from the Revolutionary period.
New York’s Hudson Valley has been equally rewarding. The Continental Army maintained numerous encampments throughout this region during the war years. Through careful research and networking with local historians, I’ve gained access to several private properties where troops once drilled and camped. One memorable day yielded three musket balls and a pewter spoon with a distinctive colonial maker’s mark.
Middle Colonies: Hidden Gems
The middle colonies present greater challenges but potentially greater rewards. While Pennsylvania strictly regulates detecting on public lands, I’ve had success focusing on private properties near historical transportation routes.
After studying 18th-century maps at the historical society in Chester County, I identified several creek crossings where troops likely passed. One landowner, fascinated by the history I shared about his property, allowed me access to fields bordering a colonial-era road. After three visits, my patience was rewarded with a copper Massachusetts copper coin dating to 1787 and several flat buttons typical of Revolutionary military garb.
Old maps remain your best friend in this region. I pay particular attention to waterways, bridges, and crossroads—places where troops would naturally stop to rest. The land around these historical choke points often holds surprising treasures.
Southern Colonial Detecting Success
My detecting trips to the Carolinas have consistently yielded good finds, particularly on properties surrounding Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Working with a local historian, I gained access to private land adjacent to (but outside) the National Military Park.
The pattern of artifacts tells a story no history book could fully convey. The concentration of fired lead shot along the ridge revealed more about troop movements than written accounts. I keep detailed GPS logs of these discoveries, sharing them with both the landowner and local historians.
What makes the southern colonies particularly productive is the prevalence of smaller, less-documented skirmishes. While major battles are well-protected, these minor engagements often occurred on land that remains private today. Local historical societies can point you toward these overlooked sites.
Caring for What You Find
Through trial and error (and some regrettable early mistakes), I’ve learned proper conservation is crucial. My first significant find—a delicate pewter button—crumbled in my hands because I cleaned it too aggressively.
Now I follow a gentler approach. For iron artifacts, I use a light brush cleaning followed by citric acid treatment to stabilize the metal. Copper and brass items receive minimal intervention, preserving the original patina that collectors value. I store everything in acid-free materials with silica gel packets to control humidity.
For particularly significant finds, I consult with professional conservators. The extra expense is worth preserving these irreplaceable pieces of history.
Building Better Relationships with Archaeologists
Some of my most rewarding experiences have come through collaborating with professional archaeologists. Initially skeptical of each other, both communities increasingly recognize the benefits of cooperation.
When a local university launched a survey of potential Revolutionary War sites near Kings Mountain, they invited experienced detectorists to assist. We worked alongside archaeological students, helping them understand how to interpret metal detector signals while they taught us proper documentation techniques.
Our discoveries—including several clusters of ammunition that changed historians’ understanding of troop positions—demonstrated how recreational detectorists can contribute meaningfully to historical research.
The Best Metal Detecting Tools for the Job
Experience has taught me that equipment choices significantly impact success rates. Multi-frequency detectors perform exceptionally well in the mineralized soils common across the original colonies. My current setup includes a mid-range detector with excellent discrimination capabilities, essential for distinguishing between modern aluminum trash and period artifacts.
I remember hunting alongside an older gentleman still using a detector from the 1980s. While he occasionally found deeper targets my machine missed, I recovered numerous smaller items his detector couldn’t differentiate from iron trash. There’s room for various approaches.
Beyond the detector itself, I’ve learned that proper digging tools and recovery techniques prevent damage to fragile artifacts. A sensitive pinpointer and surgical precision when extracting targets have saved countless delicate items from destruction.
The personal connection I feel when recovering an item last touched by someone who fought for America’s independence never diminishes. Each artifact tells a story—of battles fought, hardships endured, and a nation born from struggle. By practicing ethical detecting, securing proper permissions, and preserving both the artifacts and their historical context, we bridge centuries and honor those who came before us.
As my detecting mentor once said while we hunted a forgotten Revolutionary campsite in Virginia, “We’re not just finding things—we’re finding voices that history forgot to record.” That responsibility and privilege guide every hunt I undertake in search of America’s revolutionary past.
My name is Paul and I am the founder of Detector For Metal, a dedicated resource for metal detecting enthusiasts seeking to uncover historical treasures and connect with the past using the latest technology. As a stay-at-home dad and family man, I’ve found metal detecting to be the perfect hobby that combines family adventure with historical learnings for the whole family.
As a father, I’m deeply committed to passing on this hobby to the next generation of detectorists, starting with my own children. I share advice on everything from metal detecting with kids to exploring the top 10 metal detecting sites you never thought about. My methodical approach to the hobby goes beyond the thrill of discovery—it’s about creating family traditions while preserving history and sharing the stories of those who came before us.
