!100+ BUTTONS!

[xcolo1]

100 hundred + buttons today! found a little cache and have a long way to go. this the same area from my previous post.
1861 Indian
A nice 30mm
I was super pumped with this! Its my first.
I spent 7 hours right in that spot in the left picture. I never left the frame of that picture. It was amazing!
I hit the mother load of buttons.
NEED CLEANING ADVICE!!! I want to clean them all and take new pics!
Some of my favorites
these black glass buttons are pretty cool. I like the mother of pearl. this button still has fabric attached.

an Eagle button!!! this guy was tiny!!
Still have a lot to go through!

lots of buckles and spectacles haha!

Hope you all enjoyed my share!! Any information is greatly appreciated!!

 

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[xcolo1]

Found this website with the same pair of glasses but in much better shape ca.1770

Pair Of Antique Spectacles Eyeglasses, Circa 1770s

 

[discn]

Hey nice finds. I'm sure there are a lot more finds on that site. Keep at it.

 

[Indianametal]

Holy Mother of Buttons that is amazing. I hope to have a collection that big by the time I die. But have never dreamed it could be done in a day. Awesome finds and congrats.

 

[Bryan6059]

that's a crazy pile in such a small area... any chance that there was an old sewing machine nearby to go with all them buttons and buckles :P

 

[cjon455]

U should sift the bajesus out if that dirt, might turn up some more

 

[vpnavy]

Great finds! I would let the soak in warm water and gently rub off the dirt and grime. Thanks for sharing...

 

[ynpto804]

You need a sifter!!!! That is awesome.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Congrats - to answer your questions on cleaning:

I would first not put ANY water on them - they did not come from ground conditions that will afford you the opportunity to do so.

I would let them dry, then take a soft bristle tooth brush and lightly to medium brush the loose dirt off.

After you feel like you have it done, take a toothpick and lightly scratch and pick away the remaining dirt.

Then take the soft bristle tooth brush again and lightly to medium brush the new loose dirt off.

Repeat with the toothpick and repeat with the toothbrush until you are happy with the outcome.

It is important to note, that once you see a red color on the brass, stop, it means that you have gone too far and taken the oxidation layer completely off and with that usually comes a layer of the button (especially if gilded)

You can use your thumb to lightly rub the buttons once you go through the first few steps to wipe away any of the loose dirt and identify detail on the buttons.

The other thing to mention is that your button is not an eagle button, it is a Navy button and looks to be 1840's variety. It is tough to tell because it is really rough, it could also be post civil war as many of the buttons you have here are late 1800s.

The toothpick and toothbrush method will unveil any button with design (military or civilian) that is in the lot. If you wash the button with water from soil such as that you could wash away any detail and never know if you had a good button or not.

Best,

Dan

 

[el remolino]

Wow, that is a lot of buttons. I bet that was one fun day.

 

[wheatfinder13]

That is amazing!

 

[The Rebel]

That's so cool! Was it a button factory?

 

[park pirate]

Man thats a lot of digging, and a lot of buttons..Put them in peroxide after that soke in olive oil works for me..

 

[xcolo1]

That's so cool! Was it a button factory?

Nope it was a paper mill. The first tax stamp for the property was in 1821. It was a in production until 1880's. Doing my research like a good little md'er. I found out in the 1830's there was a wood supply issue so they began using clothes to make the mash and then the paper. I found the mother load!

 

[blugotti1]

wow!! that's so awesome!! great finds buddy!!

 

[GaRebel1861]

Nice haul. I agree that a sifter is needed in that spot more than a metal detector. There's no telling what else is there that isn't metal. i.e. clay pipes, marbles, doll heads etc. Good luck and be safe!

 

[DigIron2]

mother of all virgin soil what a pile of stuff.What a awesome looking foundation too.had to be Allot of occupancy at that site.That just screams coins coins coins.Nice stuff !

 

[xcolo1]

I actually found some creepy hand hahah!! I've already gone to Home Depot to build my own sifter!!

 

[xcolo1]

I have a feeling this thread is going to last all summer!!!!!

 

[xcolo1]

So far since 2010 this the best advice I've ever obtained from this site. I totally could have ruin a bunch of buttons but stuck to your advice and kept them dry and used toothpicks etc and they look great!! Check out my post thanks so much!!!