Excellent post from one who I consider the best of the real flag experts. I love reading Ben's posts. He's so passionate. Sorry Jim needed to real him back in a bit. When he mentioned Shannon Pritchard (excuse me... Shannon P) in one of his latest posts I was especially intrigued. Shannon lives only a few miles from me. His reputation as a relic trader is impecable. Some of my other neighbors and very good friends have provided Shannon with some of his "booty". Men that have been digging east and north-east of Richmond since the 1960s. One of my "buds" that helped build my work place told me of his first "hunting" trip with his father. His dad told him to grab all the garden tools, that they were going hunting. Jerry said he was in awe at the thought. Hunting?....shovels, hoes, and maddocks? He told me stories about his dad skipping eagle breast and belt plates across the creek as if they were worthless pebbles. I live in a very rich area. People are still digging amazing relics here. Swords and rifles are still being discovered. Jerry's dad would have been proud when he dusted off that script "A" button just a few weeks ago. And those three live Parrott rounds (shell), mmmmmm mmmmmm mmmmmmmm.

Keith