Gold Gilded Button

[Silver? Gold?]

I was hunting at an old homesite and I pulled this button from about 4 inches down. Does anyone know how to clean it or what kind it is?

 

[Subterranean]

Congrats on finding a nice button. It looks US Army General Service-Indian Wars era to me. Wiser TNetters will chime in soon. Sub

 

[sutphin]

DANG NEW MEMBER THATS A NICE BUTTON.

 

[BARKER]

Hi; It's a WW1 Army Coat button ok. Cleaning, I soak it in Lemon juice for a few day. Then use a tooth brush on it and repeat until clean ok. Greetings from Boston. Welcome to TNet. Look forward to your posts. PEACE:RONB

 

[duggap]

The date range on that button is 1876 to 1902, when the Great Seal button was introduced.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Subterranean's guess (he said "looks like") is correct. Your button is an 1875-1901 US Army "general service" button for use on Enlisted-men's uniforms. It was replaced in 1902 by the "Great Seal" general service button.

Your button is very similar to the 1854-1874 version, on which the shield wasn't as highly raised. Compare the three versions of US Army general service buttons in the photo below. Great Seal at left, 1875-1902 at center, 1854-1874 at right.

 

[Silver? Gold?]

Lemon juice won't hit it?

 

[Silver? Gold?]

Hurr

 

[Silver? Gold?]

Hurt