French Site: Almost Complete Shoe Buckle, Pieces, Button, & 2nd Bordeaux Seal

[PBR]

Went back to the French site AGAIN. Seems like it rains every Friday, so we decided to go back and try our luck. I ended up with a small, but larger than usual, almost complete shoe buckle, and a small frame and chape. Another small French coat button missing half the shank. My worse ever indian head penny that rang up as a 50 on the XP, in the nickel range. It is toast, but seems a bit thicker than the other ones i have. I think this might be my first fatty, too bad it is in very poor shape. And my second BORDEAUX lead seal with wire. This one is in a little better shape and appears to say Martigue on one side. Would love to know a little more about the Large buckle and lead seal. Thanks for looking Oh and i traded my buddy for that cool seal matrix. Im hoping for some suggestions on how to clean it up a bit. Still uncertain of the composition. It has some rust like crust on it. I tried stamping it on some yellow beeswax yest. Some details came out good, but i think it needs to be cleaned. If anyone would like to see some better pics, let me know, i will be taking some shortly. Thanks. I just added more pics of the Seal Matrix below. Scroll Down to 3rd post.

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on some nice old finds

 

[PBR]

Added new pics of Seal Matrix

Would love some info on Cleaning and Pres.

 

[scruggs]

Nice finds you made!!

 

[murph73]

Yeap 100% Arsenic Bronze no doubt anymore. Or Zink Bronze . Not silver. The matrix fits to one of the names on the list u sent me congratz thats a awsome find!!!

Sean

 

[Iron Patch]

Would love some info on Cleaning and Pres.

So this is still the seal as is.. just better pics? If so, the answer is.... Do NOTHING! It's perfect. If the little brown spots bother you if you wiped it down with a cloth soaked in lemon juice that might take them off... but don't think they'd bother me too much. You certainly don't want to use anything abrasive or harsh that does something you can't stop in time or take back. It really is in awesome condition. In the end I would wax it.

 

[Iron Patch]

As for the finds for the day, any buckle, especially ones that intact or nearly intact is a good one. Another Marines is always good to add to the collection, and I'm still surprised seeing that style of lead seal show because it looks nothing like any early ones I have dug, and I'm probably close to 40. It looks much more 1800s to me. I can't recall, but were you able to match and date it anywhere? I seem to remember something but am not quite sure.

 

[murph73]

Heres a very good Bucklepage , Bucklepage 9 ? Part Nine 17th-18th century . I believe the complete buckle to the left is dated between 17th-18th century.

Best Regards

Sean

p.s. here is another good one http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/footwear.htm

 

[murph73]

So this is still the seal as is.. just better pics? If so, the answer is.... Do NOTHING! It's perfect. If the little brown spots bother you if you wiped it down with a cloth soaked in lemon juice that might take them off... but don't think they'd bother me too much. You certainly don't want to use anything abrasive or harsh that does something you can't stop in time or take back. It really is in awesome condition. In the end I would wax it.

Hi Iron Patch,

may i ask what kind of wax u use? Up until now i use chemically pure paraffin.

Best Regards

Sean

 

[Iron Patch]

Hi Iron Patch,

may i ask what kind of wax u use? Up until now i use chemically pure paraffin.

Best Regards

Sean

Believe it or not I used to use a floor wax which worked very well, but I stopped because I wasn't comfortable with the fumes when melting... but may use it again, just do it outside. I then tried Renaissance wax and was not happy with how much residue remains, and it looks pretty bad on a dark surface, especially if there is pitting.. which most dug buttons have. I haven't waxed anything in a while, but was actually going to go to something similar to what you use.

 

[PBR]

So this is still the seal as is.. just better pics? If so, the answer is.... Do NOTHING! It's perfect. If the little brown spots bother you if you wiped it down with a cloth soaked in lemon juice that might take them off... but don't think they'd bother me too much. You certainly don't want to use anything abrasive or harsh that does something you can't stop in time or take back. It really is in awesome condition. In the end I would wax it.

Yes IP. This is the same seal matrix. The only thing different is the ownership. I did a light toothbrushing with soap and hot water this morning before taking these new pics. I think the earlier pics my buddy sent me looked so good, because he used alot of flash with his cell phone camera, and that may have hid some of the blemishes. Im almost too scared to mess with it.

As for the finds for the day, any buckle, especially ones that intact or nearly intact is a good one. Another Marines is always good to add to the collection, and I'm still surprised seeing that style of lead seal show because it looks nothing like any early ones I have dug, and I'm probably close to 40. It looks much more 1800s to me. I can't recall, but were you able to match and date it anywhere? I seem to remember something but am not quite sure.

Most of the buckles ive dug were in pieces. Ive dug many frames and chapes, but this is only my second complete, or almost complete one. This is probably about the 15th marines button ive dug here. Still no info on the bale seal. I just know bordeaux and Martigues are places or regions in France. Not sure about the buckle either. It is a bit larger than my others, but thought the chape looked similar to some i had found at the site. Thanks for responding IP.

 

[murph73]

Believe it or not I used to use a floor wax which worked very well, but I stopped because I wasn't comfortable with the fumes when melting... but may use it again, just do it outside. I then tried Renaissance wax and was not happy with how much residue remains, and it looks pretty bad on a dark surface, especially if there is pitting.. which most dug buttons have. I haven't waxed anything in a while, but was actually going to go to something similar to what you use.

Hmmm i have alot of Bee wax think i should give it a try on some rotten coppers i have. The hardest part with chemically pure paraffin is to find it "pure" i buy mine at the farmacy that i trust the residue subsides after about 2 days and the finish is nice. If u use regulare paraffin it has perfume in it and other Benzols that are deadly for brase or copper alloys. It will produce corrosion.

Best Regards

Sean

 

[PBR]

Heres a very good Bucklepage , Bucklepage 9 ? Part Nine 17th-18th century . I believe the complete buckle to the left is dated between 17th-18th century. Best Regards Sean p.s. here is another good one Footwear

Thanks for the link and all the info Murph.

 

[murph73]

Thanks for the link and all the info Murph.

As we say here" Not for that". Its my pleasure to help. I think that makes out alot of what makes this hobby the greatest in the world. Finding out how, when, why.

Best regards

Sean

 

[Iron Patch]

Here it is as a mirror image, how it would appear when stamped.

 

[Ahab8]

Love all the finds PBR! As usual the really nice old finds don't get the respect or attention they deserve. But I promise you those of us who are passionate about the oldies are digging your finds. Keep it up

 

[PBR]

Love all the finds PBR! As usual the really nice old finds don't get the respect or attention they deserve. But I promise you those of us who are passionate about the oldies are digging your finds. Keep it up

Thanks Ahab......... Sometimes i feel like Rodney Dangerfield, but its worth it. I wish i had more sites like this.

 

[Ahab8]

Thanks Ahab......... Sometimes i feel like Rodney Dangerfield, but its worth it. I wish i had more sites like this.

Part of what we have to keep in perspective is that there's very few people that even have the ability to get into sites the age of what we have. It's simply determined by where we live. The history in my area began around 1607. People tend to appreciate what they know and what they're more familiar with. Keep posting them up my friend. I love em

 

[ARC]

Would love some info on Cleaning and Pres.

This IS a banner find IMO.
All day long.

WD.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Very well done PBR!