Charleston Rev War Finds- Patriot button!

[Patriot Relics]

Hey guys,

Having posted these in the "what is it" forum I think I am now in the right place with these revolutionary war finds from the southern campaign. I am looking for more information regarding the attached P N button which I believe is a patriot button- given the concealed bench mark. Here are a few more of the finds from the site- primarily pewter. Does anyone know of the best way to clean and preserve these pewter relics?

 

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[rovnrbl53]

Try this for some info:

"PN" Button - Revolutionary War - Just Go Detecting - Metal Detector Community

doesn't look readily apparent who it belonged to. If you can find a copy of Don Troiani's Military Buttons of the American Revolution, it may be in there. I thought it might be a Pennsylvania button but I don't know rev war very well. Good luck. That's a nice found. Be very careful cleaning pewter stuff - if it's been in the ground, it's brittle

 

[Castineman1779]

Hey guys,

Having posted these in the "what is it" forum I think I am now in the right place with these revolutionary war finds from the southern campaign. I am looking for more information regarding the attached P N button which I believe is a patriot button- given the concealed bench mark. Here are a few more of the finds from the site- primarily pewter. Does anyone know of the best way to clean and preserve these pewter relics?

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Consensus of opinion the back mark of P/N are Spanish buttons but as buttons were short in supply they could have been worn on uniforms or militia coats. As for cleaning peter best to leave them as pewter flakes sometimes just handling them. However some folks put in a bathe of olive oil and pat carefully and let dry. Hope this helps. Gary

 

[Patriot Relics]

Thanks for the comment Castineman,

Seems strange that the Spanish would cast pewter buttons in a scissor mold with a benchmark on the reverse. The site where it was recovered was a known crossing point utilized by both the 3rd and 19 regiments of foot in their pursuit of the Swamp Fox militia unit. The construction doesn't seem quite right for a Spanish button being so thin and flat. I am leaning towards it being a patriot militia button given site's history.

 

[Castineman1779]

Yes I agree with your statement. I don't know if all these buttons he is showing are from the same site but check out the last pic with a pewter button with a shank still on it. That itself is rare since most are rotted away to include the mystery P/N button. If you study early Spanish buttons 1700 to 1750 you will see most are bras and has what is called a "Wedge Shank". Also the eyelet is drilled as is this example he found. I think the PN button will always be a mystery and never sold and left to speculation. Now if a P/N could be found with a shank that may answer if Spanish or not.
Gary

 

[WildWildBill]

Old, crusty, and very amazing!!! Great hunt!!!

 

[Patriot Relics]

Thanks for the feedback Gary,

Hadn't thought about the pewter button in the last pic with the intact shank since I dug it. For grins I put it under the coin microscope and noticed that gilding is intact on both sides!! Now I want to work the corrosion away but am afraid I would damage the pewter. Any ideas?

 

[nchistory]

Great finds

 

[sutphin]

07 YOU THE MAN WITH THE RELICS . DANG THEY ARE SOME NICE BUTTONS ....