Something Cool (I think) and a ton of buttons

[Dirtwisher]

Couldn't buy a coin, but the buttons kept me busy. What is the big thing with the hearts on the ends? Some kind of hair clip? It's got a dull shine and it's heavy. I like it whatever it is.

 

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[Carolina Tom]

Very nice buckle, and welcome to TNet.

 

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[Dirtwisher]

I'm with the others Jeff, and believe that's definitely a Georgian era shoe buckle (mid-to-late 1700s) which is from the same general period as your dandy button. Nice hunt!

That is phenomenal news Bill! I just love the hearts on it. It has a slightly hammered surface so it's obvious that some care went into it. What kind of metal would you say it's made of?

 

[Greylock]

It's probably brass

 

[CoilyGirl]

cool finds coily

I didn't find the buckle but wish I did!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

It's probably brass

I agree ....

 

[coinman123]

The other thing was that these babies were DEEP. Going down 8" for a late 1800's (I'm assuming) button makes me wonder how far down the good stuff is. May have to resort to commando mode - all metal!

That button you found is NOT from the late 1800's, more like from the late 1700's. I love finding tombac buttons, ans if they have a design it's even better. Anyways, Nice tombac button!

 

[Dirtwisher]

That button you found is NOT from the late 1800's, more like from the late 1700's. I love finding tombac buttons, ans if they have a design it's even better. Anyways, Nice tombac button!

I'm happy with the date on the buckle. By late 1800's I was guessing at the age of the remainder of the buttons. I am not knowledgable enough to know, but the rest of the buttons are all non-descript with no detail, they are pretty thick with a semi-shiny surface. I figured those must be quite a bit later than 1700's. I find those all over the place.

 

[mangum]

Nice colonial assortment there! That's a nice shoe buckle. I've only found 1 complete one & its plain.

 

[coinman123]

I'm happy with the date on the buckle. By late 1800's I was guessing at the age of the remainder of the buttons. I am not knowledgable enough to know, but the rest of the buttons are all non-descript with no detail, they are pretty thick with a semi-shiny surface. I figured those must be quite a bit later than 1700's. I find those all over the place.

Brass flat buttons with writing on the back, and a blank or a simple etched design front are usually from 1790-1840. Most of these buttons are gold plated/gilded, but most of the gilding has gone away under ground. The writing on the back usually may say something about gilt, or have a manufacturer
Here is an example of what I'm talking about


Tombac buttons, which never have any writing on the back and are a shiny silver color when cleaned are from around 1750-1790

Most brass flat buttons with no writing on the back and a wire shank are from the late 1700's.

Two piece brass buttons with writing on the back are from around 1840-1870
Here is a variety of buttons dating from 1750-1850 that I found one day at a colonial site


Most of your buttons date from the late 1700's until around 1840, that place definitely has some age on it, hopefully you will get some really old coins out of there.
Coinman123,

 

[Dirtwisher]

Thanks for the button class, coinman! Your third pic is exactly what I find more than any other kind. How about those gigantic thin flat buttons that get bent really easy? They usually have some design. Mid to late 1700's?

 

[coinman123]

Thanks for the button class, coinman! Your third pic is exactly what I find more than any other kind. How about those gigantic thin flat buttons that get bent really easy? They usually have some design. Mid to late 1700's?

Thanks, Those big thin unmarked brass buttons are from around the second half of the 1700's. I always love find old buttons, and along with old buttons there are also old coins and other relics from the same time period.

Coinman123,

 

[Ahab8]

This button guide may help a bit. But a simple way to date them is to know that the larger ones are normally 18th century and the "penny" buttons or small ones are usually 19th century. The Tombacs are older as well.

 

[CRUSADER]

The is not the run of the mill shoe buckle, glad it was complete, so the ID was assured. Pretty sure its an unpublished variant.