American Digger’s Antique Military & Americana Show & Sale

Originally published March 2021 · p. 35

MT. PLEASANT, S.C.—Jan. 2-3, 2021. How will the 2021 show season be in this new year of COVID and political upheaval? It will be very good, if the first show of the year is any indication. The show season was kicked off in January with the American Digger 2021 Lowcountry Antique Militaria & Americana Show & Sale held in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. With 2020 seeing widespread show cancellation and changes, the collecting and detecting community was anxious to see what the new year would bring. If this show is realistic example of what the new season will bring, then all will be well. Because COVID-19 restrictions, efforts were made by the promoters (American Digger Events) to keep everyone safe;, masks were required to be worn during the entire two-day event. Despite this minor inconvenience, over 160 eight-foot tables were set up by dealers and collectors from across the country, featuring items from all eras of history up to and including WWII. Anxious to get out of the house and see some history, gate traffic was also brisk, and a long line out the door awaited the opening on Saturday morning. To help alleviate nerves frayed from the pandemic, a mask contest was held, in addition to the more typical awards given to table holders. Door prizes were also given at regular intervals, including metal detectors donated by Nokta, Minelab, and Jim VanDam/Hunter’s Hardware of Beaufort, S.C. Other prizes were provided by Garrett Detectors, Charleston Carriage Tours, The Powder Magazine Museum, and Bull Dog Tours. Smoky Mountain Knife Works provided a high-quality hunting knife for a door prize and a box of other smaller prizes (fossils, Civil War relics, and coins) for all kids under 12. Those children were also given free admission. According to the 2021 Show Chairman and publisher of American Digger® magazine, Butch Holcombe, it is imperative to bring more youngsters into the hobby and allowing them to have an authentic piece of history to take home may plant the seed needed for them to become serious detectorists and collectors in the future. Awards were given in several categories. Best of Show went to Axel Macon for a freeman’s firefighter badge which has already been purchased by the Smithsonian Institution. Dated “1861,” the silver artifact provides the earliest known proof of former slaves-turned firemen, as was reported in American Digger Vol. 16, Issue 6. The Most Educational Award to Clifford Krainik for a display detailing the Charleston Freemen badge system. Best Dug Artifact was awarded to Heath Jones for a rare 3.67-inch caliber Sawyer bolt he found at Port Hudson. The Best Non Dug Artifact went to Chris Trimble for the personal snuff box of Sir Frances Drake.

Crowds were steady throughout the weekend.

J. Rodger Horsey relaxes behind his table.

Award winners for the 2021 show.

Although it was previously announced that the 2022 show would be held on New Year’s Day, it has been rescheduled (for one year only) to January 15 & 16, 2022, at the requests of the participants. That rare change aside, the showIt is definitely expected to return to the first weekend in 2023. Visit americandigger.com/ american-digger-events for additional information.

Many of the artifacts at the show were museum quality.