Got two buttons today...wondering if they could be anything

Nate in Ohio

Bronze Member
Oct 24, 2005
1,116
37
Cleveland, Ohio
Detector(s) used
DFX
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I kinda know nothing about buttons, but from my general memory of what I've seen posted on here before, the button on the left kinda looks like the typical Civil War button or something. Both were found near each other in a yard that's only maybe 60 years old I guess. Maybe they're not too old, but figured I'd post em. Interestingly, I found the bullet not far from the police button too. ::) Also got a fairly large compact or container of some sort and a ring that I appear to make out 18k in the markings, but it doesn't look like solid gold. It did ring up like a tab though. Also got some wheats, clad, and a few other items. I've hit this yard before and found a few modern silver coins.

danA.jpg


danB.jpg


danC.jpg


danD.jpg


danE.jpg


This is my first post this year; I've been so busy with school, but I have gotten out a little bit and found a few mercs and a few other things. We're kinda running out of spots to hit around here...gotta take some time and dig up some new sites that are a longer drive away. Makes for less frequent metal detecting.
Anyway thanks for any comments on the buttons or whatever. Take care yall!
 

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Neil in West Jersey said:
The eagle button certainly looks to be a CW era General Service button, but without reading the bottom of the backmark it is hard to know for sure. Best guess is 1837-1866. http://pw1.netcom.com/~jimyce/bm.html

Nice going!

Oh wow thanks for the great site! Cleaned it better and can read HORSTMANN BROS & CO narrowing it down nicely. Thanks a lot!
 

Nice finds,
the Police button could also be CW era, I have a Script PP two piece, (Their records indicate this was made for Peabody Ma Police Dept) with the "Scoville & Co' BM.
Jewelery grade gold can become pitted as the base metals leach out.
Have that ring tested by someone who knows how to do it right.
Keep on Diggin! :thumbsup:
 

Eagle button is definitely Civil War-era, police button almost positive is post-CW based on the backmark having no serifs and a couple other minor details. The ring marked 18K should still appear gold if it were real. It was common practice to counterfeit rings just like the coins.. They would mark them 14 or 18K, gold plate them and sell them as solid gold bands.
 

those buttons are awesome, good digs!
 

As stated, I think the button is Civil War General Service. Tice only has one General Service button listed with the backmark "Horstmann Bros & Co / Phil." The difference being the Phil, most have Phi or Phila. So, I THINK you may have Tice ( Albert's GI 94A ) GEN215-A16. Pretty sure yours looks like it has a Phil. on it as well.

Very nice gutton no matter what it is :)
 

Yep, I had to use a toothbrush to scrub behind the shank and now I can clearly read PHIL to complete the backmark. Very cool. Thanks everyone for the kind and helpful comments!
 

Hey Nate, Nice buttons. Good to see you post, hope everything is will with you. Any chance you'll be making this years DFXonly.com hunt in PA?
 

Nice finds Nate. :thumbsup:

Hope your dad`s doing well.

B|lker in NC.
 

They're definitely something :wink:. I've found several rings that had "14K" or "18K" on them that were obviously only plated. Makes your heart skip a beat, though!
 

Schrecky said:
Hey Nate, Nice buttons. Good to see you post, hope everything is will with you. Any chance you'll be making this years DFXonly.com hunt in PA?
Thanks Dan, I hope you're doing great too. I would really like to although I'm a little hesitant with my dad not going; wouldn't know many people at all, not that I can't make new friends, but I'll think about it. :) I know I should probably decide soon so I can get my paperwork/reservations in and stuff.

B|lker said:
Nice finds Nate. :thumbsup:
Hope your dad`s doing well.
B|lker in NC.
Thanks, yep he's doing well and digging some interesting things now and then. :)

halfdime said:
They're definitely something :wink:. I've found several rings that had "14K" or "18K" on them that were obviously only plated. Makes your heart skip a beat, though!
Thanks halfdime. lol yea I definitely got excited at first. It's still neat anyway. Hope all's well.
 

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