Exposed by excavations! The 100 Year-Old Tip on The Thames Foreshore

Join Si and Rich as they uncover artefacts exposed by workers excavating for the Thames Super Sewer. The 100 year old tip is stuffed with all manner of objects from coins, buckles, jewellery and mystery objects!

[@amnas69]

The brass piece was used by ladies to raise the bottom of their long dresses to avoid them dragging and getting soiled. The end would have had a ribbon or thin chain that would be held in the hand or pinned by the waist. Great Victorian find!

[@pattiondish1773]

1,000 years of history on the Thames, love you guys !!

[@quentinkelly8411]

The carpet rod holders would look really cool as birds heads on little repurposed sculpture. You should look at some of the small sculptures of birds and things made out of forks and spoons. Would be a good thing to make from all your surplus cutlery you find

[@MsAkarum]

The handle you found belongs to a shaving razor. My grandpa had one exactly like this.

[@salahad-din4114]

Lady's fork 😂😂😂 Heathen, its a fish fork

[@Jammysandwedge88]

I don’t now how I’ve ended up here but such a brilliant watch!! So interesting and amazing how some of these items stay preserved for 100s of years

[@Sifinds]

RBA Fishing Bait Thanks. Check out my other vids pal!

[@jakethedude100]

RBA Fishing Bait i warn you, you will get hooked on these vids and not see the outside world for weeks!

[@PeachSt8Digger]

The chunk of blue cobalt glass is gorgeous! Nice finds all round.

[@Sifinds]

Karen Yeoman Thanks Karen, I've hung it from my kitchen window where it catches the light beautifully

[@toby818181]

It's a huge Saphire ! But don't let that stop you from doing these videos, great fun.

[@cynthiaswearingen1037]

Beautiful and interesting finds, as always, Si! The blue glass was particularly spectacular! I love old silverware, and you boys found some lovely specimens! Can't wait for Part 2!

[@amandapittar9398]

I realise I’m showing my age, but l learned to shave my legs with a razor like that. If you were careful, you got a brilliant clean finish, but one slip and you had to leap into the bath to avoid the bathroom looking like an abattoir.

[@annekabrimhall1059]

They are becoming fashionable again to reduce plastic use. I’m trying to find my grandfather’s.

[@Pluggit1953]

My grandparents had stair rods. They (the stair rods, not my grandparents) were notorious for detaching and for the carpet to slip and cause falls.

[@OurDearLeader]

I love this shit. Finding history is never boring.

[@waynerichardson5308]

Defo looked like a gold ring on its side when playing spot the find with the pen nib

[@molehogadventures6615]

I thought that too.

[@Sifinds]

Wayne Richardson It does doesn't it! It was just a piece of ceramic.

[@MikeeVee]

I thought it was a ring on its side as well, lol.

[@tipstricksss1453]

Its always worth checking twice, when I've been beechcombing in the past some things can look like just a rock or a piece of rubbish but when you take a second look it turns out to be something more. A couple of times when I've beech combed there has been stuff right by my feet.

[@craftylittlerthings]

I thought that as well, I was pointing at the screen saying it's there lol and it wasn't there at all!

[@alexcarle8086]

Fantastic history in those finds. I am saving up for a licence and holiday in London for some mudlarking soon... used to dig bottle dumps and beach comb back in NZ as a kid but I want to find clay pipes!!

[@Sifinds]

Alex Carle Clay pipes are getting harder to find these days, mainly because they are rather obvious and people can see them easily. Good luck if you do go though x

[@tereselapree222]

I would never want to leave! What fun!

[@untbunny]

Fantastic finds! Nicola would likely enjoy seeing the chunk of blue glass. The brass clamp resembles a Victorian dress lift designed to aid ladies in keeping the long skirts out of the way. It may be a curtain swag clap as well.

[@Sifinds]

Rebecca Eddy I think you're right!Thank You!!!

[@egparis18]

See if you can find a similar one here. 'Victorian skirt lifters' sounds misleadingly saucy, by the way. 'Hem tongs' is more accurate. www.pinterest.fr/stormmcbean/victorian-skirt-lifters/?lp=true

[@georgiewalker1069]

If I lived in London this is what my hobby would be! Bugger the state of ones finger nails 😁

[@georgiewalker1069]

I live in South Africa 🇿🇦

[@alicekeene7165]

Nice finds, you have luck! Have enjoyed watching! Thanks for sharing!

[@christhompson4270]

Awesome finds 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rosalynphillipson7942]

The pen nib is from a dip pen. The nib was slotted into a usually wooden handle and dipped intothe ink wee. They were still in use in the 1950's when I went to school.

[@kevcox5585]

Great finds Si. That military button was pristine! Great video, looking forward to Part 2 mate 👍

[@Sifinds]

Kevin Cox Cheers Kevin!

[@treasurejensen7682]

I used to tell my children there were so many marbles every where because everyone was losing them from their minds. They totally believed me. I told em don't go losing your marbles and let's see how many people lost their marbles today it became a game we found them everywhere.

[@HammyHunting]

Good video Si looking forward to part 2 GL&HH Alex🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻

[@Sifinds]

Hammy Hunting Cheers Al!

[@alaskahammeryukonvarietych6793]

Can't wait for the reveal, nice finds

[@Sifinds]

Alaska Hammer & Yukon Variety Channel Thanks Dude!

[@allenrj1]

The white Jar is indeed a Ponds Cold Cream jar, we have an 1860's house in australia and when extending several years ago found one with the lid intact, showing an English country scenr with trees and a stream flowing through a field

[@cynthiarowley719]

These older ones, are worth watching. Very mucky, with surprises. I would've kept that blue lump of glass👵

[@mastersadvocate]

Hello Si! Hello Rich! I watch Nicola White Mudlark, and she mentioned you two. So, thought I would watch one of your videos! You sure find interesting stuff in the mud at the Thames! I liked that Bovril bottle that you found. I found one exactly like that in our back yard years ago while Mum and I were digging up our garden! I guess Bovril was popular here in Canada, too. Happy mudlarking! ~Janet in Canada ;-)

[@fallingonabruise]

Great stuff, can't wait for part 2 !!

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Mazin , innit? Kids used to crack the Codds for and then with to play street marbles. Yet, on the old tips there's always plenty of multi coloured marbles knocking about anyway, strewth!

[@marychace1011]

Around the first minute mark, there was a square piece of iron with a hole in it. It was from a cladded sailing vessel around the time of Henry V.

[@annekabrimhall1059]

How on earth did you know that??

[@marychace1011]

@@annekabrimhall1059 Time Team did an episode where they were trying to find Henry VIII's warship and they talked about cladded sailing vessels.

[@imcavdb5465]

Constantly I feel the urge to grab things out of your hands, pick things up, search in the mud... frustrating!!

[@52Morgan52]

Hi Si, I just watched part 1, brilliant as always. That handle you weren’t sure of looks like a brass razor handle with a cut diamond grip.

[@Sifinds]

Chris Morgan spot on Chris!

[@davechandler6884]

Stair rod holders would be 2 to a rod 13 steps 26 per flight, most victorian and early 1900s houses would not have had fitted carpet, but what was known as a stair "runner".

[@brendahenderson3418]

In my childhood post war there were no fitted carpets. Stairs had 'runners', lengths of carpet held in place by brass rods which were slipped into foxed loops such as you are finding here which were screwed to the stair itself. Your first fork may be French as their cutlery is enormous compared with British cutllery. You r white pot is probably Ponds Cold cream which was used to remove make-up. The brass object is possibly a tyre gauge. You stuck the end in the valve to measure the pressure. Marbles were played by all the children, hence why you find so many.

[@sugarsnap1578]

Great video Si I learn so much.

[@moongirlstitches6206]

Looking forward to part 2! Excellent finds 😊

[@Sifinds]

Moongirl Stitches Thanks! x

[@suemount6042]

Two discs look like part of a bracelet Asian inspired design which were popular in the 30’s, nice Tudor rose nice little goldmine you found there

[@Sifinds]

sue mount Yes good thinking!

[@Sifinds]

sue mount See part 2 for the clean up / reveal!

[@clauwilla]

Hola Simón ,enhorabuena ,estupendo vídeo ,gracias. Saludos.

[@cockertoo8920]

When I was young we always had a mustard jar with a little spoon like that one you found Si, so could be a mustard spoon

[@sarahstrong7174]

That hinged thing might be a laundrymaids tool, possibly a Goffering Iron, for crimping or goffering the lace around aprons. The other possibility might be a tool for crimping hair but that looks less likely to me.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Stair rods held the carpet firmly but allowed the carpet to be moved & adjusted so as to even out the wear & make the carpet last a bit longer. Very often the carpet was quite narrow with painted wood either side as an economy.

[@odriscoll666]

When I was Mudlarking last year I found a thick beautiful piece of blue glass, like the one you found. I was showing my findings to someone who lived in London his whole life, and he told me at one time the Thames had thick blue glass buoys. Have you ever heard that?

[@Sifinds]

Hmm, I know you can get glass buoys, so this is a possibility, I've never seen one come up on The Thames before... saying that I bet I'll find one now, if I do I'll give you a shout out!

[@MikeeVee]

What I wouldn't give to have a vacation where I go larking with either you guys or Nicola, loads of great finds to be had along the Thames.

[@jessicaradway3027]

That "instrument" you found looks like the same type of tool used to pick up anything from ice to logs-the objects weight keeps it closed until it is set down then it is easily removed. ??

[@Sifinds]

👍🏻It's hard work sometimes Mikee, we make it look easy...

[@Sifinds]

Jessica Radway we think it's a curtain tie back

[@MikeeVee]

@@Sifinds The rewards are well worth the work though. Preserving history is a difficult job.

[@gillhollingsworth4125]

Id love some of the carpet rod holders for my stairs. Brilliant finds as always x

[@Jamesandthehooligans]

Looking forward for part 2 and the reveals, great videos keep them coming!

[@Sifinds]

Gemma Brewer Thanks Sweetie

[@sarahstrong7174]

Saw the little top off a Christmas tree bauble there. You can see the slot the wire hanger comes out through the circular part that fits the top of the bauble..

[@justkp9243]

The stair rod clips and rods are very much on trend again, as they were back then; it’s said the main reason it was done back then was to save money on carpet going right to the edges of the stairs, instead it was just a runner down the Center of the stairs then painted down the sides carpet held down with rods.

[@jasonlund5949]

So very interesting. Love the ink well find.

[@925inder2]

Bunch of neat finds. RAF button is really nice. Congrats!

[@callmecarebear3]

At first, when you picked up that beautiful blue glass, I thought it was a giant sapphire haha. Probably because I had just watched your video about the giant garnets found in the Thames. Thanks for sharing another great video :)

[@Mercmad]

The White glass pot is a Ponds Cold cream container .

[@Sifinds]

Mercmad nice one thanks for the info!

[@judyhobday4760]

I would love to be able to be able to find some good old items digging in the mud around where i live. I do enjoy your videos and great old find.

[@lindsaybrown7357]

Some fountain pen nibs were tipped with iridium or osmiridium, a precious metal at one time worth more than gold or platinum.

[@davebarrett4644]

The item you found after the marmite jar might be a bosuns whistle.

[@stephenmeyer3056]

The brass tool looks like some type of calipers, maybe for grabbing hot or heavy objects

[@dianajusselin3298]

Hello, you fellows are doing a bang-up job. I love all your finds whether big or small. I am so enthralled that at times I talk to you but I know that’s as far as it goes. I do point things that you can use? Probably you really saw it already. I’m enjoying this so much. I have seizures so I’m in bead with on my lap. It's as close as I get for now? God bless you both.

[@coinsearcher9635]

Awesome Video! Smashed the like button, subscribe button and notification! Keep up the great work and finds!

[@gregorygilman8461]

Looks like a brass tool for a watchmaker Si.

[@ChillBill1]

Love the brass instrument... very cool!

[@Sifinds]

Chill Bill Cheers Bill!

[@clockwork9827]

Was hoping you or Nic would have a look around these excavations... Good location scouting Si !

[@noradaniels470]

I love that lump of blue glass. 😍

[@Sifinds]

Nora Daniels it now hangs in my kitchen window!

[@noradaniels470]

@@Sifinds awesome. I bet it catches the sunlight fabulously.

[@marcohottmann6444]

A 7:00 is it an old "saute ruisseau" pince jupe en français, jumper creek or sKirt clip. Sûrement utiliser par les Dames pour descendre des bateaux/ surely use by the ladies to get off the boats. Merci à vous !

[@VenusDeMilitant]

You are correct. It's more commonly known as a skirt lifter.

[@northernerinnc3179]

The carpet stair rod holders -- My parents' house that I grew up in had those stair rods--and I suppose the holders, too. That was in a 1920's built house in US, I remember seeing those during the mid 1950's. Supposing they were 1920's style items.

[@sarahstrong7174]

That little round brassy looking thing with the slot in is not a button but the top of a Christmas Bauble, where the hanging wire was.

[@lmp8932]

Were house remains and other bomb damaged detritus bulldozed into the river during the wars? I love finding old bits and pieces, you have found some interesting things again :) Not a fountain pen nib, it's the kind that are attached to a handle and dipped into an inkpot.

[@steven2212]

Enjoy your banter, wish I could join you. Loved the vid...I suppose your fork collection is pretty amazing.

[@jakethedude100]

They’d have to drag me out of there!

[@williambuffalo4795]

Love you videos buddy, you have excellent knowledge of your finds.Keep up the good work as you are very entertaining.

[@Sifinds]

Thanks pal!

[@sandscratcherbri5574]

some nice finds there lads cant wait for part 2

[@karenshortland6238]

Did I imagine it? When you found the fountain pen nib it looks like there was a gold ring just to the left of it?

[@Sifinds]

Karen Shortland it was a piece of china

[@georgewilkey5283]

i though the same thing.

[@Hailstonepie]

Kids in the 60s had a few marbles each even if you didnt have any toys, they were easy to gain and easy to loose too.

[@olliesanders]

Fantastic video! Such interesting finds, very jealous that you can go here so often :)

[@Sifinds]

Ollie Sanders Cheers Ollie!

[@robertgregson2183]

the discs which are chained together remind me of 1960 women clothes for dancing they had necklesses to match you only have to watch an old top of the pops to see this

[@douglashurrell4766]

Si that round brass handle is a razor handle good hunting

[@treasurejensen7682]

Great finds

[@percepercival4445]

The Buttons isn't RAF -its earlier its a Royal Naval Air Service button -Nice find

[@Sifinds]

perce percival Ah thanks for that. Is it because of the beaded rim?

[@percepercival4445]

Si-finds yes mate it is . I have a link somewhere to a good site for navy buttons I’ll post it later

[@percepercival4445]

www.scribd.com/doc/512437/Buttons-of-the-British-Navy

[@Tob2n]

Well done, Si

[@sarahstrong7174]

White pots like that used to hold Ponds Cold Cream.

[@randysmith8979]

Nice finds!

[@craftylittlerthings]

That made me laugh...the razor....1930's, I was born in 1958 and I remember thats the type of razor my Dad used at least up till I left home in 1976 to join the army, I can't tell when he changed over to disposables!!

[@markiglesias_ldn]

Hello mate. Watched this a while back but went back to it this evening and noticed the brass Tudor rose type mount. I was at this spot a few weeks ago, it’s changed and isn’t as fruitful as the day you made this, in any case, I found one of those Tudor rose mounts! Wonder if it comes off the same furniture yours did. Anyway, thought that was pretty cool. Take care mate 👍🌹

[@corbinbacon9043]

Only two years late on this comment... But, doesn't that brass mystery piece look like a fancy eyelash curler? Or am I absolutely bonkers?

[@alanward4506]

That`s not a fountain pen nib,it`s from an old dip and scratch pen.They were usually wooden holders with a metal socket at the end of which that nib would have been placed.those were the pens that we moved onto into 1950`s primary schools from pencil or slate

[@Sifinds]

Thanks for the info!

[@sarahstrong7174]

I went to a school that was still using those dip pens in 1968/9.

[@sarahstrong7174]

They were still in use in some schools in the 1960s. Blooming annoying things. Sometimes you couldn't even complete one letter of the alphabet before you had to re-dip. There must have been an art to it but I never discovered it. Give me a pencil & let me get my messege written. I still use pencils a lot. The tubes off of single use pens take millions of years to biodegrade. I cannot stand the thought of them littering the earth. Either get a pen that takes re-fills or use a pencil.

[@simondavies9924]

stair rod holders the amaount you find is from all the blitz damaged house rubble that was tipped into the thames after ww2

[@shelleythornton7520]

oh I would love to have a look around there.

[@gelingarcia83]

Did you just miss what looks like a brass ring beside the fountain pen tip? Something sjiny came out when you removed that decoy piece... 🤔

[@grahamcroft564]

OK so I am 2 years late but thought I would comment on the 'button'. As pointed out below it is not RAF but not exactly Navy either. It is 'Fleet Air Arm' and this pattern of button was used by The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Canadian Navy Fleet Air Arm. WW2 / Kings Crown

[@IratePuffin]

The brass tool thing looks like some sort of calipers or tongs. Like maybe ice tongs or coal tongs.

[@milliewilliams2601]

If we can't get to the foreshore soon, I'll go mad!

[@Sifinds]

Millie Williams haha, me too!!

[@alexbennett3697]

That key was awesome

[@oldengine9127]

That razor is a Gillette old type, I still use one. You should clean it up it will probably still be useable since it's made from brass. It is also possible to replate them in nickel, would be an interesting restoration. Enjoyed the video looks like a great site!

[@oldengine9127]

Also the handle is off a razor too.

[@Sifinds]

OldEngine Cheers mate. Can you still buy the razors to go in them?

[@oldengine9127]

@@Sifinds Yes really cheap too you can get 100 for a tenner, get a better shave than a cartridge too. You should give it a go it's definitely worth the switch.

[@lesleyjackson2882]

Do you think this was from bomb sites during or after the war, especially with the stair rod content and household contents ?

[@kaityw8966]

That handle is for a safety razor, the head would screw on

[@jackiesmithsmetaldetecting]

Amazing finds and great video :) I am into metal detecting and we find those stair carpet grippers everywhere :) haha who fell in the hole. great video and finds and great video

[@Sifinds]

jackiesmiths Metaldetecting videos Yeah those carpet rods must have been so popular! A big chunk of soil avalanched into the hole, thankfully not a person! Thanks for watching

[@adamcarmichael9828]

its a metal pumch that brass thingy,the tip is broken though.

[@juliacakebread7423]

Ooh I love your videos. Great finds!! Been out detecting in Essex today but hardly any finds ☹️

[@Sifinds]

Julia Cakebread Thanks! Where abouts in Essex?

[@juliacakebread7423]

North Weald, I went round the old redoubt, ended up in a field surrounded by hundreds of cows and all I found was a load of toot. Going to try round the old train station today and maybe the the old ww2 training forest 😊

[@Sifinds]

Julia Cakebread great. Tweet me if you find anything cool @sxsi

[@bruna7422]

It hurts me that he scraps the plaque

[@sharonleaderfam4273]

I think with the construction work going on you should find alot of cool artifacts.

[@19gregske55]

The spoon is actually for mustard.

[@photopenny]

would those carpet thingies make cool napkin holders??

[@sharonleaderfam4273]

Looks like a white cold cream jar. Maybe Ponds

[@lynnekells6163]

Part of a coin bracelet