Button (A first for me), Grapeshot, frags and bullets

[parsonwalker]

I usually go to one spot and stay all day. Today was a drizzle here in Virginia and pretty miserable. And I lost my lucky digger (Dang it!). But I found what I believe to be an early U.S. Marines button. Known Civil war activity here but found not ONE single artifact but this one. So weird! At a different spot, I found a period horse shoe, a grapeshot, a frag and the worst soil for bullets I've ever seen. The 2 lower bullets are .58 cal minies, but deteriorated to about .50 cal! Three bullets on top are carbines. And falling to pieces!



Albert's Button Book says this is a Marine button, but no date. Backmark unreadable. anybody care to venture a rough date period?



And . . . after cleaning.

 

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[CASPER-2]

WTG - VERY NICE

 

[Dug]

That back mark is the critical element since there has been little variation on the front design of US Marine Corps buttons. I would keep gently working the back and using light at the right angles with moisture you might be able to get enough lettering to read it. Good luck and nice find.

 

[rich f]

nice the grape shot cleaned up real nice

 

[beez0404]

I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about old buttons military or otherwise. But I'll take a guess and say it is from around 1862 Congratulations on some very nice recoveries.

 

[Davers]

Nice Relics
Did you put it on the what is it site?
You will likely get more answers there.

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Great button! I'm sure some of the knowledgeable button members will help id date.
Peace

 

[ynpto804]

First I would like to say nice find. And second I would like to say I very much enjoy your cleaning of it. Way to often people over do it on buttons with oils and other crap. Yours looks just the way it should a very nice dug button.
P.s. The rain is killing me too but it will be better over the weekend.

Nice finds
Ynp

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nice relic finds! Hope you get help on the button ID.

 

[treblehunter]

Nice button, If I'd found it I'd hot peroxide it a few times until it stopped fizzing then toothpick the devil out of it. Looks like and it should be made of brass. Actually I'm lyeing, I'd zap that button just like I did all my buttons, after that you would be able to read the backmark easy. Of course that is just what I would do. Might take some doing, but I bet I have some before and after pix of some of mine that I did. I'm a little different as far as how ynpto804 likes them. Mine come out brassy looking with a dark black contrast. If it was a GW button or something on that line, I'd get professional help with it.

 

[vpnavy]

 

[Ihatepoisonivy]

 

[Trezurehunter]

Great button.

 

[parsonwalker]

First I would like to say nice find. And second I would like to say I very much enjoy your cleaning of it. Way to often people over do it on buttons with oils and other crap. Yours looks just the way it should a very nice dug button.
P.s. The rain is killing me too but it will be better over the weekend.

Nice finds
Ynp

Thanks man. I've cleaned buttons all kinds of ways and wished I hadn't. I am sticking with the simple method THIS SITE taught me: Let it dry out. Dry toothpick the dirt and crud off. Stick your finger in your ear and coat it with a little "ear-oil." LIGHTLY rub on the relief to bring out the details then . . . leave it the heck alone! To each his own . . . but I too, like the way this looks.

 

[CSA2K]

Nice saves man. Luv the grape!