Need help with eagle buttons please

[relic lover]

Found these both today at the early site I found my 1810 belt plate. I was on my first trip out with my new Explorer xs. I can't see any back marks. I know nothing about buttons can anyone ID and/or date them?

[johnnyi]

relic lover, these both look like General Service, 1854-

[vayank54]

relic lover, these both look like General Service, 1854-

I would agree but add they are pre 1880. they are probably civil war or a bit earlier

[Woodland Detectors]

I agree. http://howardlanham.tripod.com/link2

Civil War period buttons have a shield level with the rest of the eagle, while those made after 1875 have a raised shield. After 1902 modern style uniform buttons with the Great Seal of the United States, replaced the Civil War type eagles.

[vayank54]

There are some pre civil war buttons that the shields are raised on a bit and between the type of eagle in the pics and the great seal buttons they had those old turkey neck looking eagles I think they started using those in 1875 or so

[BuckleBoy]

With a name like "relic lover," and detecting on sites that contain belt plates and military relics, I would strongly urge you to educate yourself on buttons.

Buy a copy of Tice's Uniform Buttons of the United States 1776-1865 ($50 used)

My button cleaning post in the Cleaning and Preservation will likely also be of use to you. Toothpicking the backmarks as I describe in that post will increase your odds at being able to read a backmark. If you wash a button with water, then you will likely lose it all.


Reading the backmark is in many cases the key to nailing down a maker and time frame for a button.



Best Wishes,



Buckleboy

[vayank54]

Buckle boy is right about the backmarks and also cleaning the buttons. Looking at the pics I didn't think these buttons had backmarks but I could be mistaken.

[dcinffxva]

As far as cleaning the buttons, I used BB's method, and here are the results.

Before



After

[vayank54]

Buckleboy. I just read your post on cleaning buttons and want to say everyone who digs needs to read that. I can't see a thing I would disagree with. I've been digging 40 years and hate to admit it but have ruined a few buttons in my day. I take each button on it's own as to how I will clean it. Again some good info on that post.

[BuckleBoy]

Buckleboy. I just read your post on cleaning buttons and want to say everyone who digs needs to read that. I can't see a thing I would disagree with. I've been digging 40 years and hate to admit it but have ruined a few buttons in my day. I take each button on it's own as to how I will clean it. Again some good info on that post.

I agree that each button has to be considered on its own. Even a button found 5 feet away from another one might require a different cleaning method. It sometimes takes a careful eye and a lot of patience.

Thank you for the kind words, my friend.


-Buckles

[vayank54]

I agree that each button has to be considered on its own. Even a button found 5 feet away from another one might require a different cleaning method. It sometimes takes a careful eye and a lot of patience.

Thank you for the kind words, my friend.


-Buckles


[/quote]
Yep time and patience. It's amazing how the same types of things coming from a few feet apart can be in such different conditions when you dig them, isn't it.
And the kind words are well deserved but your welcome