My First Button!

[Palmetto Pony]

Since Matthew passed through here yesterday the weather was fantastic today! I had to get out even if for just a few hours. Within the first 20 minutes on a new site I got a upper 70's coming from a small dirt mound. About 4 inches down..tada..my very first button! It was a silver plated flat button. Based on the size it appears to be a cuff (approximately 3/4" in diameter). Even through the dirt I could see the shiny plating that remained on the front and some green coming through on the back. I was thrilled! The pic really doesn't capture how shiny the remaining plating is. While not super shiny, it's not nearly as dull as it appears.

The site is a Rev War era. Within approximately 20 ft on the button location I started hitting iron. Based on the age of the site I was digging everything. Out of one hole I got three cut spikes, approximately 5" long. I'm gonna put them into electrolysis to save them. There's quit a bit of material remaining with only one getting a little thin (the middle one in the pic).

Any help with the age/ID of the button would be appreciated. I believe it may be a late 1700's British uniform flat cuff. The shank is brazed and there are no markings.

 

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[thrifty76now]

Nice flat button there.

 

[relic nut]

I love finding flat buttons!!! Congrats on your first, there will be many more.

HH RN

 

[Diggin Dude]

Nice button find! Congrats and HH

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the fine hunt!

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the nice old button

 

[against the wind]

Sweet button, , looks like you're on a good site.
Congratulations

 

[Kevin75931]

Spikes might be narrow gauge railroad.

Was there a sawmill anywhere in the area?

You said revolutionary war, but what were the spikes used for?

 

[Palmetto Pony]

Spikes might be narrow gauge railroad.Was there a sawmill anywhere in the area? You said revolutionary war, but what were the spikes used for?

No doubt that they are large square head, cut nails (spikes). They would be used for heavier construction. They are much too small for rail spikes, even for very light narrow gauge rail. They're only 5" long and the shanks are about 3/8" thick and they have square heads.

Thanks everyone. I hope to return tomorrow for a few hours. Thankfully it's a relatively short drive for me to the site. Dunno if it'll work out. I have a few things I need to take care of thanks to the storm but hopefully it'll work!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on that button.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Not sure how I missed your post John, your button is likely late 18th century and civilian. A bit of lemon juice will certainly help to brighten up the silver wash. Congrats on the first of many buttons

 

[devldog]

Nice find and recovery on the button. Love to find those buttons. This will add well to your collection.

 

[Palmetto Pony]

Not sure how I missed your post John, your button is likely late 18th century and civilian. A bit of lemon juice will certainly help to brighten up the silver wash. Congrats on the first of many buttons

Thanks! It was from the earthwork site we talked about, hence my thoughts of maybe military. Dunno, I liked as my first (and my first hit at the site!).

The picture really doesn't do justice to how shiny the plating has remained. Thanks for the lemon juice tip. That's what I cleaned it with the evening I found it.

 

[Palmetto Pony]

Nice find and recovery on the button. Love to find those buttons. This will add well to your collection.

Thanks. Honestly..it begins my collection! LOL

 

[Ahab8]

Very happy to see people hit cool firsts! I can sense your excitement and passion and that will breed success. I started a few years ago and never dreamed I would find some of the amazing things I now have in my collection. Good luck

 

[Palmetto Pony]

Very happy to see people hit cool firsts! I can sense your excitement and passion and that will breed success. I started a few years ago and never dreamed I would find some of the amazing things I now have in my collection. Good luck

Thanks very much. I have been pretty fortunate in my short time detecting. My very first find ever was a fired Enfield round. Next came the button at a different site. Both finds were the first thing I hit on their respective days. They both have indeed kept me excited for that next find! I can't wait to see what will turn up next!