<p><strong>I've had 2 Minelab's in the past 5 years.</strong> A Quattro MP and then moved up to the E-TRAC about 2 years ago.</p> <p>On (-4--2012 ( my daughter's birthday) my hunting partner "king coiler" Randy C and daughter were both busy so I went detecting on my own in an old spot that's been done by us and other before.</p> [split] <p>There weren't any finds except for iron and surface junk like bottle caps and cans. But in the first 15 minutes I got a 12-45 and started digging.</p> <p>It wasn't a big sound so I figured it was a coin, button or junk. I checked with my Sunray probe about 4-6 inches down and it was still deeper. I gave up 3 times filling in the hole and double checking the spot again, the reading and sound stayed the same so I finally got down on my hands and knees and decided to keep going until I found whatever was there.</p> <p>Metal detecting finds - 1812 shoulder plate At around * inches hidden under 2 roots that were crossing each other in an X, I pulled out this shoulder plate. I sent pics to a well known magazine and asked for help IDing it.</p> <p>Their experts said it was a army of militia officers sword shoulder plate from the 1808 to 1815 era and that while plain plates like this are common, an incised one with a federal eagle on it could be worth several thousand.</p> <p>I can't wait to find out, if it is I will be parting with it to buy the new CTX 3030.</p>