American Digger Magazine

Road Trip 2023

For the last few years, these three detecting buddies have met up for a weekend of metal detecting, despite the distances between them. This year’s locations in Wisconsin and Illinois did not disappoint.

By Tim Blank, Jeff Kjorlien, & Dave Rose

SNAKES!

Some folks like them, some folks hate them, and some folks don’t care one way or the other. But whether you like these reptiles or not, finding a fake snake in a Civil War camp is pretty satisfying.

By Dale Breezy Ellis

SAVING A SLAVE TAG

Slave hire badges, commonly called slave tags, are a reminder of a shameful but historical period of the world gone by. Although often counterfeited because of their cash value, this one is the real thing.

By Randy Riddle.

Coscojos

Very little is known about the “jingles” sometimes found in the footsteps of the Spanish Conquistadors of Florida. This author shares what he has learned from the ones he recovered there.

By Keith Woodward

A Revolutionary Relic at Liberty Hall

An experienced digger participated in an organized relic hunt, hoping to find some good Civil War relics. He instead unearthed an artifact from the Revolutionary War likely carried home after the war by a Virginia patriot.

By Patrick Conners

The Birth of a Detectorist: My Story

A chance encounter between a photographer and a Boy Scout at some old fort ruins in Texas, followed soon thereafter by a cleanup day at the same fort, inspired a young man to take up a life of metal detecting.

By Harold Decuir

Discovering an Early Kentucky Trading Post

A Kentucky relic hunter and his friends secure permission to hunt property near where a historic event had taken place. They discover the site of a 1700-1800s trading post, and uncover a large number of artifacts.

By Ed Morris

Looking Back: June 4, 1901

The Gettysburg Compiler of June 4, 1901 had some interesting news concerning the fate of some Civil War relics. Read about what became of numerous cannon and artillery projectiles just after the turn of the century.

Compiled by Bob Roach

Dedicated to those who preserve our past through responsible metal detecting, digging and collecting. In each issue, you'll find articles covering all types and periods of history being discovered:

• military • civilian • ancient • natural

We take our digging seriously, but we also have fun doing it. We invite you to join us, enjoying six info-packed issues a year, for only $38.95 for an annual print subscription (USA). For those who prefer digital, the price is only 19.95 per year!

In American Digger Magazine, you’ll enjoy recent finds shared by our readers, including recovered artifacts such as:

coins from many eras and countries
antique buttons and buckles
antique and modern jewelry
American Revolutionary, Indian and Civil War related relics and artifacts
WWI and WWII relics
bullets, cannonballs, guns and artillery
a variety of military insignia and equipment
Native American arrowheads and other points
old pottery and bottles
fossils and meteorites

…to list just a few examples.

Other regular features include:

Stories – exciting and informative articles on metal detecting, bottle hunting, arrowhead and fossil searching, and other collecting adventures
Product Reviews – of equipment, accessories and resources related to the hobby
How-To Tips – on everything from maintaining your metal detecting equipment and how to use it, to where to search, and how to identify and restore your finds
Relic Preservation – Techniques to optimize display while conserving physical integrity and historic value
Interviews – with those who rescue and collect the past, including celebrities
Articles From Our Readers – Relic hunting enthusiasts can become aspiring American Digger authors by submitting their stories for publication consideration
And so much more!