🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Cast metal button... what age?

[Iron Buzz]

I found an unusual button today while metal detecting a Minnesota site that dates to the 1850s. It is cast metal of some sort, probably pewter or similar, judging by the weight. It is 7/8" diameter, and has a wire shank that is embedded in the cast metal. Not sure of the design but it seems to have a bird(?) and a couple of flowers. I *think* it is in the correct orientation in my photo, but I'm not 100% certain of that. There is no writing on the back... just a rather rough surface from the casting.

Minnesota became a territory in 1849 and a state in 1858, but I have found buttons here that are decades older than that... either brought in on hand-me-down clothing, in grandma's button tin for use in sewing and repair of clothing, or for trade items with the natives. I'm hoping somebody can fill me in on when cast buttons like this were in use and any other information about it that you may have.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[Iron Buzz]

I checked the metal with a lead test kit, and it came out positive, so lead, pewter, or other lead-based alloy.

 

[smokeythecat]

Late 18th century, possibly into the early19th, but manufacturing changed that time frame and pewter dropped out of fashion. It's a beauty.

 

[Iron Buzz]

Late 18th century, possibly into the early19th, but manufacturing changed that time frame and pewter dropped out of fashion. It's a beauty.

Wow! I figured it was old, but not that old. I have found one big Dandy button that may be as old as this but this may be my oldest artifact aside from a native Copper spearpoint!

 

[Iron Buzz]

Late 18th century, possibly into the early19th, but manufacturing changed that time frame and pewter dropped out of fashion. It's a beauty.

Not to doubt what you say in the least, but have you got a source or a term that I can Google or something like that for some more backing for that claim? I love the idea of it being that period but the fact that I know that I love it makes me afraid that I'm simply accepting what I want to hear. Its also nice when bragging to others to have a source other than "this person named Smokeycat says..." LOL! (which, by the way, I already have done with friends tonight)

 

[pepperj]

Not to doubt what you say in the least, but have you got a source or a term that I can Google or something like that for some more backing for that claim? I love the idea of it being that period but the fact that I know that I love it makes me afraid that I'm simply accepting what I want to hear. Its also nice when bragging to others to have a source other than "this person named Smokeycat says..." LOL! (which, by the way, I already have done with friends tonight)

That's a real nice button save.
Given the fact that things were used over and over, clothing was mended till it fell apart, then the buttons were reused on another piece of clothing, it could very well be the case with this lovely looking one.

From the early I can still remember the large button tin, and helping finding a set of buttons the same for a new shirt/sweater that was being made.

 

[ticndig]

Not to doubt what you say in the least, but have you got a source or a term that I can Google or something like that for some more backing for that claim? I love the idea of it being that period but the fact that I know that I love it makes me afraid that I'm simply accepting what I want to hear. Its also nice when bragging to others to have a source other than "this person named Smokeycat says..." LOL! (which, by the way, I already have done with friends tonight)

see button E

 

[Iron Buzz]

View attachment 2053395 see button E

Thanks, yeah, I've seen that before. I guess my button would fit the 3rd picture most. But I've learned that there may be more to the story:

Pewter buttons were popular from 1700 to 1820, and then were revived in the 1850's. These buttons were molded and often homemade. They were either self-shanked from the molding process or were attached by wire shanks.

https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1042&context=utk_chanhonoproj