First Revolutionary War button today

[BobinSouthVA]

Had an hour to kill this evening while the kidlets were at choir practice so I decided to hit a new field in the fading twilight.

in the dim light I found this button but could not make anything out till I got home. Boy was I excited after the guys in the WII forum helped me pin
it down to Rev War Naval Captian or Commanders button. I knew there was activity on this sight but was very surprised by this early Christmas present.

Can't wait to get back out there.

Thanks for looking and HH.

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Bob,
That is a nice button. I am curious about something and hope you can answer my question. What reference did the ID come from? I can't find this button in Tice's or Albert's button books. Of course, I may be overlooking it.

here is the link to the WII post I had about it with book references

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,437278.0.html

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Oh and that's a nice one too..I dug the cuffs to match it a few months ago. That's one of my favorite finds. Great Button

Thanks Mike,

Nice piece of history, thanks for sharing.

Thanks Garryson

 

[{Sentinel}]

An absolute Beauty, and priceless piece of history, Congratulations to you Bob!

 

[BobinSouthVA]

An absolute Beauty, and priceless piece of history, Congratulations to you Bob!

Thanks Josh, was actually expecting more civil war items at this spot, however it appears pretty well hunted out after a few more trips since I found this button.
Going to have to work it to find anything else.

 

[metalev4]

Thats a beautiful button congrats!
-Ev

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Thats a beautiful button congrats!
-Ev

Thanks Ev

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

I just went through the Albert's Record of American Uniform and Historical Button book and although there are some similar early US Navy buttons, none match exactly. Most (but not all) US buttons were on a lined background with a border. The fouled anchor also wraps the opposite way on all US buttons in Albert's.

There are many similar varieties of British buttons like this dating 1774 to 1812, at which date the royal crown was added. In 1774 a fouled anchor, plain edge or surrounded by rope edging, took the place of the Rose design used up until that date.

Here are two from that time period:

RN Capt/Commander - 1774
RN Master - 1787
RN Surgeon - 1787
RN Purser - 1787
RN Warrant Officer - 1787
RN Midshipman - 1787
In Use 1774-1787

RN Capt/Commander - 1774
Variation
In Use 1774-1787

The odd thing is that the second one listed is the exact same as the one you show listed on the GW plate as a Continental button so I wonder

 

[johnnyblaze]

Well Bob with a find like that its only a matter of time before your in the GW club

I was just let in the club by HEAVYMETALNUT....


Blaze

 

[Iron Patch]

I just went through the Albert's Record of American Uniform and Historical Button book and although there are some similar early US Navy buttons, none match exactly. Most (but not all) US buttons were on a lined background with a border. The fouled anchor also wraps the opposite way on all US buttons in Albert's.

There are many similar varieties of British buttons like this dating 1774 to 1812, at which date the royal crown was added. In 1774 a fouled anchor, plain edge or surrounded by rope edging, took the place of the Rose design used up until that date.

Here are two from that time period:

RN Capt/Commander - 1774
RN Master - 1787
RN Surgeon - 1787
RN Purser - 1787
RN Warrant Officer - 1787
RN Midshipman - 1787
In Use 1774-1787

RN Capt/Commander - 1774
Variation
In Use 1774-1787

The odd thing is that the second one listed is the exact same as the one you show listed on the GW plate as a Continental button so I wonder

The first one I would call an 1812 button, and the second is an early one, and it is the same type from the Cobb collection. They have it wrong, it's British.

 

[Breezie]

Sweet button Congrats, Breezie

 

[DigginThePast]

Awesome find! Congrats!!


Don't know how I've missed this one.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Bob,
That is a nice button. I am curious about something and hope you can answer my question. What reference did the ID come from? I can't find this button in Tice's or Albert's button books. Of course, I may be overlooking it.

here is the link to the WII post I had about it with book references

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,437278.0.html

Bob,
Thanks for the link. Now I see why I can't find it. It's not in either of my references.

 

[steelheadwill]

Congrats on an Outstanding Button!

 

[The Patriot]

I found the same foul anchor several years back.... there are a few variations with the chain being slightly different
Great find there

 

[Iron Patch]

Here's the one I dug in 2004.

 

[johnnyblaze]

Here's the one I dug in 2004.

Sweet button IP

Did you put that in olive oil?

I put a war of 1812 button i had in olive oil and it turned it black like that..

I wish i never did that..Ill never do it again

I guess olive oil works good on copper but turns brass black


Blaze

 

[Iron Patch]

Here's the one I dug in 2004.

Sweet button IP

Did you put that in olive oil?

I put a war of 1812 button i had in olive oil and it turned it black like that..

I wish i never did that..Ill never do it again

I guess olive oil works good on copper but turns brass black


Blaze

No, I don't use oil on anything, don't need to.

This button was dug in basically the same condition you see it, except for some corrosion. I used lemon juice to clean the green, and then waxed it to keep the gilt looking similar to when it was wet, and looked better. Lemon works well but dries a button out.

 

[johnnyblaze]

Here's the one I dug in 2004.

Sweet button IP

Did you put that in olive oil?

I put a war of 1812 button i had in olive oil and it turned it black like that..

I wish i never did that..Ill never do it again

I guess olive oil works good on copper but turns brass black


Blaze

No, I don't use oil on anything, don't need to.

This button was dug in basically the same condition you see it, except for some corrosion. I used lemon juice to clean the green, and then waxed it to keep the gilt looking similar to when it was wet, and looked better. Lemon works well but dries a button out.

Great tip

Actually the dark color of your button actually brings out the gilt wonderfully


Blaze

 

[Iron Patch]

Here's the one I dug in 2004.

Sweet button IP

Did you put that in olive oil?

I put a war of 1812 button i had in olive oil and it turned it black like that..

I wish i never did that..Ill never do it again

I guess olive oil works good on copper but turns brass black


Blaze

No, I don't use oil on anything, don't need to.

This button was dug in basically the same condition you see it, except for some corrosion. I used lemon juice to clean the green, and then waxed it to keep the gilt looking similar to when it was wet, and looked better. Lemon works well but dries a button out.

Great tip

Actually the dark color of your button actually brings out the gilt wonderfully


Blaze

Before the wax the metal can often be brown, and as I said both the base metal and gilt look dried out. So yes the wax darkens it closer to black and makes the gilt look wet, and the result is good. The only negative is if the surface has pitting it tends to show up a little more, but I still think it's a good trade off for most gilt or silver plated buttons.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Nicely done!

All the best,

Lanny