Battlefield buttons and a weird question . . .

[parsonwalker]

Found a couple of Eagle buttons over the weekend. One came out still in a clump of Sweet Virginia dirt. I once saw a relic preserved in the dirt it was dug in, and thought it was cool. So I'm going to try it, but how to stabilize the dirt?? I have three clumps of "Test-dirt-clods" I'm working on before I do anything to this. One I sprayed with laquer, one I sprayed with clear Rustoleum, and one i dipped in Polyurethane. Thought I'd dip and spray each one 3 or 4 times and see which one is more stable . . . unless one of you has a cool secret you'd care to share?

 

[Jpro]

I like the idea. Let me know which works for you. I'm all about preserving relics in unique ways for display.

 

[Curious The George]

A few drops of crazy glue on the dirt will solidify it.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I love the idea!

I'm thinking that whatever is used, once it is permanently sealed, the absence of oxygen should keep it from oxidizing.

Will be a neat display!

Nice saves!

 

[Ifoundit69]

Nice Score !

 

[parsonwalker]

That's what I thought Jpro and WhadIfind . . . something different for display. So far, I can see that my three test methods make the dirt look dark and perpetually wet. Assuming it's going to significantly darken the button, too, but that's OK. probably going to lessen the contrasting colors I have now, but can't do anything about that. I think all three are going to keep it from crumbling in the case, but none are going to prevent damage if it gets seriously jostled. I'll keep you posted and provide a photo of the finished product, provided I don't drop the clod before then!

 

[smokeythecat]

Diluted Elmer's glue with water

 

[geologyjohn]

I have done the same thing with a few of the CW relics (mostly bullets and round balls) that I have dug. They DO make a cool display.

 

[parsonwalker]

I have done the same thing with a few of the CW relics (mostly bullets and round balls) that I have dug. They DO make a cool display.

With a name like yours, you ought to know what to use! So how did you stabilize the dirt?? Fess up!

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[jewelerguy]

that's really cool

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Have you considered encasing it in plastic resin. If done in a rounded mold it would give a magnifying effect but your button would be forever entombed in the resin but preserved for forever.
ZDD

 

[VOL1266-X]

Watch our very first You Tube video and note Dman's bullet in the dirt clod from a CSA Cavalry camp. We had been waiting to dig one in a clod that would hold together so we could experiment with exactly what you want to do. We saw a couple at at a Murfreesboro relic dealer's shop and they looked sharp. He sprayed it with several coats of clear polyurethane. It worked well. HH, Quindy.