Anchor Button Civilian or Military?

May 17, 2018
82
211
Downsville, Louisiana
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Max, Fisher F-75
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Dug this button on a historic location for the Civil War Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana! Not sure if it's a fashion coat or shirt button or military related! Appears to be brass and has a patina! The back shows a little gilt left! Haven't found anything close to it on my research! Any and all educated guesses would be greatly appreciated!

20191126_170513.jpg
Size is 20 mm or 3/4" round!

20191126_204646.jpg
Shank is missing and no manufacturer on back!
 

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Kray Gelder

Gold Member
Feb 24, 2017
7,013
12,578
Georgetown, SC
Detector(s) used
Fisher F75
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I'm thinking civilian. It doesn't match any military buttons of the usual suspects in American history.
 

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ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,841
27,385
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
I'm fairly certain that your button is made of white metal, as opposed to pewter. :icon_scratch:
As the others have already speculated, more then likely a mid-20thc coat button.

"White metals are any of several light-colored alloys used as a base for plated silverware, ornaments or novelties, as well as any of several lead-based or tin-based alloys used for things like bearings, jewellery, clothing buttons, miniature figures, fusible plugs, some medals and metal type. The term is also used in the antiques trade for an item suspected of being silver, but not hallmarked. A white metal alloy may include antimony, tin, lead, cadmium, bismuth, and zinc (some of which are quite toxic). Not all of these metals are found in all white metal alloys. Metals are mixed to achieve a desired goal or need. As an example, a base metal for jewellery needs to be castable, polishable and have good flow characteristics."

Dave
 

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devldog

Silver Member
Mar 9, 2012
3,641
6,330
Georgia
Detector(s) used
Whites MXT ALL PRO, Minelab Safari
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Look at it this way, even if it turns out to be a civilian button which it most likely is, it is still old and a nice find. Congrat's.
 

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