Mudlarking the River Thames - A Mystery find emerges from the mud (& several military artefacts) 

For anyone interested, here's a video of WWII-era London with computer-generated improvements of the film. There are two views of the Thames, along with many street scenes. Very different from today. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QLbPYQcUcgM.html

Hi Nicola, the mystery object is a ships rudder gudgeon, often made of galvanised iron or gunmetal, there are usually two, a top and bottom one to fit over pins (pintles) fixed to the transom of the boat. The width of the object is the thickness of the wooden rudder it would have housed so looking at it it was about 3 inches which is enormous and would have been on a very large vessel, such as a barge, The copper nails are used as rivets and are held in place with a rove on one end, a sort of washer which is pushed on and the nail peened over. The gudgeon and pintle make up a hinge joint for the rudder to turn.These near identical type of fittings are still used in boat building and are still familiar to a wooden boat builder today. Davey and Co who have been going since the 19th Century still supply them and they might easily be the original makers, hope that helps.

The mystery object would be a gudgeon. Part of the hinging arrangement for a wooden rudder. The mate is the pintle. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pintle

You have made the nightmare of the pandemic (and here in America, the political riots) less stressful by introducing peaceful river sounds and intriguing mudlarking finds. Thanks.

The mystery object is sea stirrup for riding sea horses, i remember this from a previous life when i was in the Queens under sea highland lancers. 😸

So sweet how you rescue the crabs and fish and feed the swans. Wish there were more kind souls like you :)

Nicola, I must say, hands down you are the best eagle eye mudlarker. You find the tiniest objects. I kept gasping at each item you uncovered. The catering badge and the very long nail with the broad arrows might have been the best. Also the grouping of tiny metal pieces that formed a fish, just fabulous!!!!! I love how your artistic mind works. Thank you, thank you for a great mudlark adventure. ❤️🇺🇸💟

I thought it might have been a deck scupper off an old boat but rudderpintle sounds better to this landlubber. The army catering corps badge is a brilliant find. My maternal grandfather was a cook in the English army in WWII so that strikes close to my heart. I remember many a Sunday dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding by his hand. He lived between Putney and Richmond and he used to take us on walks over chiswick bridge.Thanks for bringing back memories forgotten by a young lad of 6-10yrs old back in the late 60’s

I loved everything, but the Barbie tribute to you with diorama was truly epic!

Barbie Nicola was delightful! Wonderful job and creative accessories. One blobby glass was an onion bottle, Barbie sized, I think.

Nicola,you know that I adore you,you know that I am a super fan. The beginning of this video,with the mermaid in the sand,it captured my heart. You are such a delight! 🥰

Nicola, buttons buttons buttons everywhere, I say get the Nicola doll on the shelves by Christmas, it would make a smashing gift, cheers.

Before the American Revolution, in the American colonies, large straight trees suitable for use as a ship's mast were property of the crown, regardless of where they may be. A tax collector would mark these trees with the broad arrow using a hatchet and hammer. The Pine Tree Rebellion that preceded the War of Independence had to do with a Tax Collector finding illegally harvested trees with broad arrows on them in a saw mill. Not everything had a broad arrow though. Alot of British equipment was used by the Confederacy and brass pieces of a British bayonet scabbard I dug were stamped with a crown, and "V. R.".

The last part of the vid edited with your research and items cleaned up is fantastic! I know that's a lot of work but it makes your vids stand out.

I’ve been following you for about 3 years but as Cynthia patterson , I love seeing what you find it’s the history and the wonder of where it’s been and who had it , it’s fascinating to me

I absolutely love your timeline art doll! She’s fantastic, right down to the finds, knee pads, everything! Now that is a true sign of respect and appreciation for what you do. It’s nice to see that you get some jolly rewards from this, like we get from you.❤️

Just the greatest channel and content creator! 😊❤️

Nicola, I love mudlarking - by default! - alongside you. Did you know (you probably do!) That the remnant of tobacco still left in a pipe is called a "dottle"? Thank you for another lovely and informative video today.

That is a very elegant cardigan. Looking lovely, as usual.

My dear old Poppa was in the Army Catering Corps! Lovely to see one, sadly don't have his one just in a photo. Great finds!!

Nicola, I enjoy what you do ,I see all those beautiful Little Rock’s and I have collected them all my life.Get me one and send to me,I would be so glad, I am almost 80 . I have never been to England and I do love your country. Love you and you what you do.God bless

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I look so forward to your videos.

Who wouldn't Love a beautiful old Nail? ... Or are we a little Strange? 😬 Loved the large Copper one. Thanks for this wonderful Episode!

I’d want to get those beautiful nails out of the larger piece of metal. Those nails are just so beautiful. I just adore how some metals like copper are relatively unaffected by time and conditions. Just amazing.

4:14 sure looks like another coin in the upper left. always love the military finds! that big metal bracket looks like maybe a keel or rudder reinforcement.

Your Barbie is awesome! Jennifer included such great details. Side note: Finding the comments on this video very informative

Always a pleasure! Thank you Nicola for the adventures! Love history xx

What a lovely introduction!🌻

Your keen eye never fails to amaze me Nicola. Another great Video. Thanks you.

The catering button is a very cool find. Loved to see what you find and the history around them.

Army Catering Corps, formed 1941, amalgamated into the Royal Logistics Corps 1993. Those broad head nails would look nice if left full length and a hole drilled for a key chain or watch fob. Great and wonderful finds today. Each week a new adventure. Love from Canada.

Oh my goodness! Nicola barbie!!! That was awesome jennifer!! Lovit!

Oh crudddd,now I’m all preoccupied with you being shrunk!!! So,another Haiku for you! Nicola,so small! You find such tiny treasures! That’s why I love you! Ok I think I got the syllables right!

What a lot of lovely things you found! I jumped when I noticed the demon dog sat behind you during the round up 😱😂

Nicola, you looked absolutely stunning. As did your little "Mini me" by Jennifer Kelly (fantastic job Jennifer! You got the black and white striped good luck tee, the pink boots, the little trowel, the hair was spot on, the little fanny pack, everything, including your recreation of the foreshore! I wax dying when it was shown!! You are awesome!! I loved this soooo much and Nicola adding it at the closing standing in the.mud on the foreshore was priceless)!!! ( : Plus your metal pieces fish was delightful and beautifully made as well as charming! Loved this whole video today! It was full of serendipitous surprises and interesting fun finds! ( : Have a great rest of your week! ( : 💖💖💖 Tracy ( :

You're passing over tons of bronze and copper ship fittings. The larger heavy item appears to be the remains of a ship's deadeye. Fascinating picking in the Thames. I'd love to join you on the flats. Only a little history has passed through those waters.

Oh how I do love your videos never stop making them you are rescuing are history cheers from the colonies of Canada

The mystery object could be something to support the end of a barge/boat. Beautiful finds Nicola, always love finding buttons!! Such personal finds.

Brilliant finds!! And I love mudlarking Barbie!!!!❤❤

Thank you for lovely video. Being an American, I sure enjoy your voice. What a great day.you had.

Wonderful finds and history behind them . Thanks for shared your video.from shirley from new Bern, north carolina u.s.a ❤❤🎉😮🎉😅😊🎉🎉🎉

We were a service family and our married quarter furniture, kitchen equipment etc had a “broad arrow”. We would call it a “bench mark”, though I read that a bench mark is used for surveying; you see them etched on the corner of a building or bridge, for instance. Don’t tell the queen but I have a brown stoneware mixing bowl, which I use for my Christmas puddings, has a bench mark

Back again ,we went to dinner at our daughters. I agree 1100%with Dave Richards below, this chunk of metal was part of the fittings to a reasonably large rudder ,probably wooden, the broad arrow marked "Nails" are probably rivets that woud have held the wooden blade of the rudder and have a hole at the top "gudgeon" which would fit over the the Rudder pintles which are the hanging pins on which the gudgeons fit and pivot(there would be several of these depending on the size of the rudder and some mechanism at the head of the rudder to attach a tiller or other steering mechanism,This could have been a rudder on a Thames Barge or a Lighter both of which were used extensively on the Thames.Your's with the broad arrow and your location near Greenwich would indicate some Royal Naval attachment. I never tire of through research you turn up fascinating stories from history along with an appreciation of the natural history of the Thames be it a graceful swan or a gull pecking at some tit bit .I can see that Catering Corps button being featured in your upcomong talk which alas I wont be able to attend.I couldnt close without commenting on your gorgeous jacket all sparkly like your eyes and your hair so sleak and very glamourous.I also have to comment on your lack of Pink wellies in this vlog but fel a little better in that the Cindy doll was suitably attired. Great vlog Nicola so good to see you back ion your beloved Thames foreshore XXX

OMG ...just sitting down after dinner with a cuppa to enjoy Sir Tony on the telly...talking about the Thames, and who do I spot in her familiar striped top and flowing golden hair!!! Hello Nicola...on tv in New Zealand. But we don’t get too excited ...it’s probably a repeat!

What an interesting lady. I am so pleased to find this gem and look forward to seeing more 👍👍👍👍👍

What an enjoyable video! As you turned over a rock and found another antique coin I was chuckling...all I ever find that way are squigly bugs! I loved the fish you crafted from the pieces of metal you found, you inspire me to be more creative. The Tideline Art Nic (aka Barbie) is wonderful, so many details. Thanks again!

Wow! Great opening sequence!

So cool to be you! Nice of you to save the flat fish! Loving your videos and the mini you!

That was a very thoughtful gift, the Barbie Doll was ingenious. I have a number of Honk Kong coins from 1978 when I was there last and the other coins where very interesting as well. 👍👍👍👍👍❤🇺🇸

Such a fun lark today! Always love seeing your finds. The Cap Badge and the Apostle spoon are just wonderful! Not only do I look forward to your round-ups with the clean up of the found treasures and the background on the items, but I love looking at your shelves behind you and seeing so many treasures sitting there that I was with you when they were found. Ah, such good times I have had on our many larks together, even though I am clear across the pond! Take care, stay safe. Keep all those you cherish close. ~Jen

Awesome finds, love the history you found and saved!

...in a dirty chunky mysterious sort of way. Love it. Anything with copper and shiny bits in it would get taken home with me no questions asked. It's a bit like playing "Where's Wally" but with a muddy shore instead of a book page. ..Oh I love that fishy picture, you could have that printed and sold as a Mudlarker's Channel T-Shirt.

Lovely lady and an incredible channel. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. Thank you and Greetings from California :)

my favorite show! greetings from Mexicali, Mexico!!

Lovely finds Nicola. The iron ON OFF switch reminds me of a gold pendant I once saw at Garrard's jewellers - ON OFF switch for a woman's moods - ON was green emerald, OFF was a red ruby - rather appropriate I thought!

I love watching to see what you find and listen to you talk about your findings

Just so fascinating Nicola, many interesting and quirky bits n bobs sitting on the mud! Thank you for sharing.

Super interesting finds and the extra info you provide on them adds even more great context. Thanks for another great Sunday treat nicola. From ash Xx

That looks like a rudder pintle for a small boat

Fabulous cardigan! It makes you glow!

Loved seeing all your larks, the doll is adorable.

The Apostle spoons make an appearance in the Starz series Outlander. You would love the books too. Watching from Missouri. My favorite Mudlarking adventures. I would love to buy one of your Art Fish, but find them only as Sold Out sadly.

I noticed the gourds in the background and wondered what the story was . I'm a member of the Texas Gourd Society and I'm so curious! BTW, I love Mud Girl!

Wonderful finds Nicola! My favorite is the Heart shaped Fossil! Love your Glamorous Jacket! Very Chic!!

Looking particularly lovely in this video, Nicola 🥰☺️

That mermaid pipe is so beautiful!!! You had good finds today!

Yay! Have not even started watching yet, but had to give you a shout-out!

Hi nic when did you first realise that you liked mudlarking. I'm 60 now A VERY VERY YOUNG 60 YEAR OLD,and I must be going backwards because I started to do the things I used to do as a child. BUT GOD DOES THESE SIMPLE ENJOYMENTS CLEAR YOUR HEAD OF ALL THE WOES GOING ON. CHEERS NICK

Love your channel. US here. Usually watch on big TV can’t comment there but here to see what the heck that Navy piece might be lol. If you find out please include in next video. Curiosity killing me….. But while I’m here… great channel always interesting, always entertaining & always relaxing. Great job! God Bless & happy mudlarking to you!!❤️💐👍🏻🍀

My ex-squadie brother tells me that the insignia on the ACC cap badge was colloquially known as ‘the flaming piss-pot’.

My favorite video you’ve made so far. Loved the mermaid 🧜🏻‍♀️ appearing from the Thames and the fishy you saved was so precious. You had a great day. That cap badge and the glass seal were both cool food finds. I wonder what kind of cap it went on. A regular military cap or a special caterer’s cap? Was that a wine bottle? Or maybe water? Cool how that part was heavy enough that it survived perfectly intact, broken away from the bottle. Your talk will go brilliantly. I know this because that’s my 65th birthday 🎂 Stay well. Stay safe. Take care Nicola 🤍🕊

you have good days & bad days on the Thames you had a Fantastic one lots of lovely finds . PS my wife loves your Glittery top

Well done as always princess Nicola!!👍

WOW! You always surprise us with something-really liked the opening today.

Lovely episode! Lots of interesting finds. Great idea to collect the modern coins to donate. It would be fun to have viewers guess how much you collect in a year. All the best, Chris from Florida

Oh, and i loved the fish you made with the metal finds..

Awesome information about your fines and history and your video lovely photos of the day fines you stay blessed and see you again on the next episode O so had a wonderful birthday sorry you didn't get to be there 🙏🥰❤

Hi Nicola, I think the Mysterious find is a version of a Sistrum, some had extended rods for change in tone some didn't, the later Roman versions were more like this one.

What I like is you can go over the same place over several tides and find something interesting. In my teens I found a silver sixpence on a beach but it had the the name of a trading company on it.

The copper nailed "clamp" or "hinge" is part of a rudder. Lovely find if you could find which ship. Always be you Nichola x

I enjoyed your video and the follow through on the objects found is what will keep me coming back for more!!

Ah, so if the broad arrow points down either my beer or myself is the wrong way up ? 🤔Cheers Nicola 🍻

Corvid 19 makes another appearance. It looks as if, he could be interviewed about his mudlarking experiences he would be quite proud of his collection of chicken bones.

Love the doll especially filmed in the Thames!

I can see how one would develop a great eye for seeing things in the mud. Cool.

People like you make my day!!!

Hiya Nicola, I listen to Planet Rock on the radio as I absorb your YT videos, at the start of this film they started playing 'Waterloo Sunset' by the Kinks, "Dirty old river, must you keep rolling, rolling into the night." How perfect. Stay safe, Steve...

Hi nick your one beautiful lady, thank you for sharing all you do, simon.xx

Dear Nicola, What can I say. Excellent video. You are an amazing teacher. I look forward to what you come up with next. Thank you. Poppet

Hi Nicola, as someone who grew up around boats, your large metal piece looks like part of an old rudder bracket (Gudgeon or Pintle) depending if the closed end has a hole or broken pin in it "pintle". These attached to the rudder blade, top and bottom and hinged the rudder. On smaller boats the gudgeon / pintle arrangement allowed the rudder to be lifted off.

Wonderful day !! Such good fun and interesting!! History never stops. And you make it so interesting. You!!!!

My great grandfather was in the catering corps, I have his medals on display and a certificate he was awarded with for his work in the community after the war!

U love them bc u know a person made them. It’s artistic skill. I appreciate all old stuff

That was a good double sided, open end wrench you walked past. Always keep a useful tool

Too fun your barbie! You looked smart and stylish, and your video as always, entertaining and educational💝👍

Nicola, great finds this mudlarking....I love all the history that's in the Thames...

Another wonder video. Thank you for having another adventure and taking us along. We look forward to relaxing with you each week.

Another favorite channel to view in a Sunday in the US. Loved seeing you celebrate with Si on his recent birthday! Thank you for history and stories and great finds.

Hello Nic - I've missed you! For whatever reason, your vids haven't shown up in my feed for some time now. So nice to see you!

Hi Nicola, I just recently found your Channel and I just LOVE it. I have been binge watching for days now. You mudlarkers are my kindred spirits. I thought, I was the only one to pick up old nails, pottery chards and marbles 😊 Unfortunately, where I live (Denmark) there is no Thames, so my finds come from digging in the garden. Right now just paused at 20:59 where you are picking up the mother-of-pearl button. I have just spotted a dolls face to the left of your hand - will you see it? The suspense is killing me. Have to go and find out 😂