Are you an avid metal detectorist seeking brass treasures? Discover secret spots and uncover the past in your hunt! Curious about where to start? Read on!
Every time that I get to know about new metal types that could be found with a detector, the first question that comes to my mind is… ‘Where to find it?’.
And one such question that I had was about detecting brass treasures since it is known as a very malleable metal.
As usual, I conducted my investigation and identified many top locations for detecting brass metal. I was able to find lots of brass treasures in these places as well.
So, Here’re the best places to find brass metal detecting,
- HVAC projects
- Junk shops
- Flea markets
- Shooting ranges
- Old homes
- Historical sites
- Beaches
- Parks
- Abandoned mines
- Abandoned mills
There’s a lot more information I’d like to tell you if you want to learn more.
In this article, I’ll explore how you can find brass treasures from those places and I’ll discuss some of the best states in the US and best countries around the world for brass treasures.
So, let’s jump in!
Best Places To Find Brass in Metal Detecting
Let me tell you a little more about each place and what type of brass you can really find.
First of all, make sure your metal detector can detect brass treasures before visiting those places.
You’ll be able to find valuable brass treasures below places as I did since my childhood.
1. HVAC Projects
HVAC stands for ‘heating, ventilation, and air conditioning’.
These projects in the past have used a lot of brass-made items such as furnaces, radiators, and water heaters.
These are now being replaced by modern systems and often get abandoned.
If you are able to talk to a person who owns an HVAC project, you can get these as scrap for free.
Usually, they have yards where they dump all this scrap.
So you can talk to them and get a chance to detect the space for brass treasures.
2. Junk Shops
Junk shops usually sell items that are old and pre-owned. Brass has been a popular metal in making a lot of antique pieces in the past.
Since these are not in demand now, people hand them over to junk shops.
If you can pay a visit to one of these shops, you’ll be able to find some good brass.
Take your detector with you in order to confirm that the items are brass.
3. Flea Markets
Flea markets also sell second-hand items. These are often temporary markets.
If you visit here, you can find old brass fittings, trophies, candle holders and so much more.
This might not feel fun since you are not going to detect the ground but directly the object.
But still, it would be cool when your detector sets off.
4. Shooting Ranges
Bullet cases are commonly made out of brass. So the shooting range will be a good place to treasure hunt the brass casings.
Talk with the range managers and get permission. Arrange one day every week to go brass treasure hunting.
A weekend would do better.
5. Old Homes
Brass is a common metal that was used in old home construction dating back to the 19th to early 20th century.
It was used to make door knobs, handles, locks, and other decorative items.
Look for the oldest home in the area. Talk to the owners or the sheriff to get permission for a detection.
These places might surprise you with amazing findings.
6. Historical Sites
Historical sites also probably have antiques made out of brass since metal was quite popular and high-class back then.
These places probably require a permission letter with some rules and regulations like you have to inform and show them whenever you get to find an antique.
7. Beaches
People get to lose a lot at beaches. If the beach that you are planning to detect is quite old, then you might be lucky enough to find something precious.
Usually, public beaches don require permission.
But it’s better to go to the municipality and inform them beforehand.
8. Parks
Parks are also famous gathering places for people.
They celebrate and have quality time here. And there’s a chance that they would forget and leave things behind.
Talk to the owners or people who are taking care of the parks to get permission.
Be extra careful to recover the holes that you dig as these might be dangerous for people while walking.
9. Abandoned Mines
Old mines have used a lot of equipment made out of brass as this metal is strong and lasts longer.
It’s better to choose mines that are abandoned as there won’t be disturbances to both parties.
But make sure you talk to the owners before you detect.
10. Abandoned Mills
Industrial sites such as mills have also used brass for their settings as it is very strong.
So these places might have a lot of brass items and most of them will be historically valuable.
Talk to the owners or the authorities before you begin a detection.
Let’s look at the best states in the US to detect brass treasures. I’ve personally been to many of those places and got promising results.
The Best Places In The USA To Detect Brass Metal
There are several areas in the USA that have a history of places related to brass.
And there’s a high potential that these places could be positive for brass.
1. Virginia
Virginia has a history of being the site of many civil wars and battles. The area also has historically valuable places.
So there’s a high potential of finding artifacts and other objects made from brass.
2. Florida
Florida is famous for having relics from a number of shipwrecks along its coastline. The history of them dates back to the 1500s.
If you select the coastline of Florida as the detecting spot, you’ll be able to find a lot of brass objects.
3. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is used as the settlement site by many ancient colonies. And it also has a history of being used as a battlefield.
So this place might have valuable brass finds.
4. California
California is home to so many mines. And it has a history of mining that dates back to the 1800s.
Therefore, this place has the potential of having brass metal and is ideal for detecting.
5. New England
New England has a rich history of battles which includes the revolutionary war.
So this area can be named a perfect place to dig out colonial-era brass artifacts.
6. Texas
Texas has a huge history with multiple eras. It has been owned by many colonies.
The old mines as well as the still abandoned towns will be great spots to detect and find brass artifacts.
7. Arizona
Arizona has a huge number of mines which are old and new. Most of them are still accessible.
They have a high potential of finding brass objects.
8. New York
New York also has a very rich history regarding wars and colonization. It also has a large coastline.
These locations can be targeted in looking for brass artifacts.
9. Montana
Montana has the most prolific mines. Most of them are now abandoned. And still, there are a few that are active.
With special permission, these places can be utilized for brass detection.
Now I’m going to share with you some of the best countries for brass metal detection for my international audience and travelers.
Best Countries In The World To Detect Brass Metal
Depending on the country’s history and the usage of brass, I can suggest a few main locations that are potential for brass detection.
I’ve personally visited some countries and information about other countries was gathered from my friendly detectorists.
Just keep reading!
1. England
England owns a huge historical value that runs back to thousands of years.
This is, therefore, an ideal place to find brass.
There are old castles, museums, battlefields and old buildings where a number of old and precious brass objects can be found.
2. Italy
Italy has a cultural heritage and it is well known for the ruins belonging to the Roman era, medieval castles, and other famous locations.
You will be able to find coins, sculptures, and other artifacts that are made out of brass.
3. Egypt
Egypt is a very ancient land where it is believed that the steel workers in this era were very skilled.
There is evidence that many different artifacts were found here including tools, jewelry, and other equipment.
If you want to uncover old brass, this would be the best place.
4. China
China’s history runs back more than 4000 years. It is also very famous for brass manufacturing.
It also produces beautiful artifacts such as vases, and sculptures.
These can be also commonly found in old historical sites.
5. India
India has a fascinating history. It has a lot of places that are sacred and historically valuable.
The country is well known for its brass sculptures, religious statues, and other artifacts. This makes India a premier destination for brass detection.
How Far Can A Detector Detect Brass?
The range that a detector could detect brass depends on many factors.
Let’s look into some of the important factors.
Brass is a non-ferrous metal. Which means that it is not magnetic.
But brass is a good conductor. So it can be detected with some detectors.
Any detector that detects metals based on magnetic field, cannot identify brass.
The size and the thickness of the brass object are another reason.
If the size is bigger and the thickness is big, a metal detector would be able to easily find it even at the depths.
The sensitivity of the metal detector also influences the probability of detection.
The detectors with high sensitivity can even find brass objects that are lying as deep as 10-15 feet.
The smallest depth where a brass object can be easily found is no less than 3 feet. But still, keep in mind that the above factors still affect your search.
If you’re interested in the detection depths of metal detectors, read my comprehensive guide, How Deep Can a Metal Detector Detect?
What Is The Most Effective Frequency To Detect Brass?
The most effective and required frequency to detect brass is 3-7 kHz.
Again, this depends on several factors.
The size of the object and the composition of brass in the object are some of the main reasons.
In general, small brass objects can be found with higher frequencies. And big objects with smaller frequencies.
If the detector is high in technology, these things might be different.
Different Types Of Brass
Did you know there are different types of brass available?.
Each of them has different characteristics and therefore, these are very popular in the market.
Alpha Brass
This is a single-phase alloy with 55-65% copper and 25-35% zinc. This brass is very famous due to its flexibility. It is easy to work with.
It is also resistant to corrosion and used in forming things. This alloy can be hardened with cold working.
And also it’s easy to improve the properties by adding a small amount of other elements.
It’s used in creating decorative items and architectural features since it’s bright and can be easily maintained.
Alpha-Beta Brass
This is also known as duplex brass. It contains 60% copper and 40% zinc. This metal has both cold and hot working ability.
So it is suitable for pressing, machining and forging applications.
It can be changed into different strengths and ductility by heat treating. Used in making different fittings, valves and gears.
High-Zinc Beta Brass
This type of brass contains around 15% copper and 85% zinc. It has a good fluidity with a low melting point. It also has excellent casting properties.
But this is more likely to corrode and crack easily compared to other types of brass. It is used to make locks, hinges and fasteners due to the low quality.
Leaded Brass
This alloy has 1-3 percent of lead in it. This is easy to machine, can be cold worked and corrosion resistant.
Due to its excellent machinability, it’s suitable for valves, plumbing fittings and decoratives.
Red Brass
Red brass is made with around 85% of copper and 15% of zinc. This is why it has a reddish color.
It is a very strong metal and resistant to corrosion. And because of its color, it is very attractive.
This alloy is a common choice in making plumbing fittings, pumps, and valves. It can be easily soldered and welded with the right techniques.
That’s it, folks! Now you know the best locations where you can find brass treasures in detail.
As of 2021, the global market for brass products was valued at approximately $141.66 million and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.27% from 2021 to 2027, showcasing the significant demand for brass items worldwide.
www.digitaljournal.com
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Can brass treasures be found in every part of the world?
Brass treasures can indeed be found globally, with each location offering unique opportunities due to its historical and cultural background. Notably, some countries like the USA, England, Italy, Egypt, China, and India have a rich history of brass usage, making them ideal for brass detection.
What is the most effective frequency to detect brass?
The optimal frequency to detect brass typically falls within the range of 3-7 kHz, influenced by factors like the size and composition of the brass object.
Can brass be plated with other metals?
Yes, brass can be plated with other metals such as nickel, gold, and chromium to enhance its properties and appearance.
Is brass magnetic?
Brass is a non-ferrous metal, which means it is not magnetic and won’t be detected by metal detectors that rely solely on a magnetic field.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Places To Find Brass Metal Detecting
In this article, I’ve deeply explained the best places to detect brass metal detecting and what type of brass valuable you’ll mostly be able to find from those locations.
The best places to find brass when metal detecting include old homes, historical sites, shooting ranges, HVAC projects, junk shops, flea markets, parks, beaches, abandoned mines, and mills. These venues are notable due to their history of brass usage or as places where brass objects may have been discarded.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
I’m glad to share everything I know with you about top locations to find brass in metal detecting.
Hope these facts will be helpful to every detector out there as much as they all helped me on the way.
So keep on looking for new brass treasures and make the best out of your hobby.
