Decent short hunt in pouring rain

[scavanau]

Re-searched an area I hit heavily in November where a found a beautiful Colonial Era bat wing buckle (and an 8 point whitetail the following weekend). Rain chased me back to the Jeep 3 times. Finally got my 1st one piece button. I believe it to be brass. Can't see any writing on it yet. 2 questions, any age to it? And how do I clean/preserve it? Also found a broken iron knife blade. Looks to have been made from a file.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Nice finds! A really simple way to clean the button is to soak it for 24-hours in apple cider vinegar, then use soap and water and a soft toothbrush.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very nice old button recovery!

I may soak my flat buttons and very toasty LC's in mineral oil in hope of squeaking a date or some detail out. Other times, they are left as found; your choice!

GL & HH

 

[scavanau]

Thank you. I'd love to leave it as is but the itch to clean and see if it has writing on the back is overwhelming. I feel cleaning may help someone to offer up an idea on age.

 

[Scrappy]

Great flat button, Brass with a braised shank. As far as age, I would put it no later than 1800. It could be a bit earlier but for dating purposes I would put it right at turn-of-the-century

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the button

 

[scavanau]

Plain front. Back has a sunflower type design with a ring around it. Can't make out writing other than "gilt..." Still had a bit if fabric attached.