Could This Be On The Level?

[mbcuce]

Been going over an over the colonial site we have been working and pulling a few buttons and small items out. Came across this interesting find. I showed it to Lost Signal and he ID'd it for me as a plumb bob from a level and sent the picture of the 18th century carpenters level.


I would have expected it to be more of pointed weight but looking on line it seems to match others I have found.

 

[arrow86]

Modern weight , possibly for decoys . Looks like lead

 

[Georgivs]

Modern weight , possibly for decoys . Looks like lead

How can you tell? IDK why it couldn't be a home made plumb weight, I've used all kinds of random things for plumbs.

 

[MKW]

I do not think that could possibly be a decoy weight. It's less than a 1/2" across. No way that would hold a decoy in position.

 

[gwdigger]

I've found early buttons that look just like that. They came from my best sites.

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/456840

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/q/cone+shape+button

 

[ARC]

I've found early buttons that look just like that. They came from my best sites.

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/456840

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/q/cone+shape+button

Which I could not even begin to agree or disagree with for I know VERY little about buttons.

But... after looking at your links...

So perhaps you are on to something.

 

[gwdigger]

If it turns out to be a plumb bob I'll have to dig out mine that I thought were buttons.

 

[smokeythecat]

I'd bet it's a late 17th century button. They were made in that size and shape, and in both brass and lead. That is one early find. Remember, it could have been used 50 years or more after it was made, just like we do today re-using old stuff.

 

[ARC]

If it turns out to be a plumb bob I'll have to dig out mine that I thought were buttons.

They look dead on really... are yours same composition ?

The links you posted stated they were "lead tin alloy"... and the ops looks bronze... or the likes.

Anyway... more "green"... heh.

 

[gwdigger]

They look dead on really... are yours same composition ?

The links you posted stated they were "lead tin alloy"... and the ops looks bronze... or the likes.

Anyway... more "green"... heh.

The last one I found was solid copper or bronze I think. Its been 4 or 5 years ago. They dont come up too often around here. Might check with "toasted". He may very well have found more of them and hes only a few hours drive from me.

 

[mbcuce]

I've found early buttons that look just like that. They came from my best sites.

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/456840

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/q/cone+shape+button

Very cool. The links really make me think it is probably a button. I never would have thought. Thanks for posting. I'm going to have to dig a little deeper now.

 

[gwdigger]

Very cool. The links really make me think it is probably a button. I never would have thought. Thanks for posting. I'm going to have to dig a little deeper now.

Pretty sure it is a button and a dang good find imo. I got cobs or King Chas II coinage at the sites where I have dug them so I'd pound the daylights out of the site for sure.

 

[toasted]

The last one I found was solid copper or bronze I think. Its been 4 or 5 years ago. They dont come up too often around here. Might check with "toasted". He may very well have found more of them and hes only a few hours drive from me.

Dont think Ive got anything exactly like that but looks like an early button to me

 

[arrow86]

I do not think that could possibly be a decoy weight. It's less than a 1/2" across. No way that would hold a decoy in position.

Yeah sorry Mobil app had pic zoomed way in looked much bigger . Disregard my post sorry

 

[Lost Signal]

Yeah sorry Mobil app had pic zoomed way in looked much bigger . Disregard my post sorry

Yeah, I was imagining it being bigger, too. That's why I came up with the plumb bob theory. Saw it in person tonight, and after checking out gwdigger's links, I would definitely agree that it is a button.

 

[mbcuce]

They look dead on really... are yours same composition ?

The links you posted stated they were "lead tin alloy"... and the ops looks bronze... or the likes.

Anyway... more "green"... heh.

I think it could be bronze, doesn't seem to be lead. I cleaned it up a bit more and it really looks like the button from the link gwdigger posted. I included pics of the cleaned button and another to better show the scale.

 

[against the wind]

Well, whatever it is,, that dirt is worth a revisit.
Congratulations