HEARTBREAKER Rev. War button and a silver "pillar"from colonial VA.

[Flathead25]

Got out for a few hours this afternoon to the colonial site. The first target I dug was pewter...and old. I had that feeling it might be a good one, but I could see it wasn't perfectly round. When I got to clean it up, I saw the side of the U, the top of the S and the very top of the A...USA rev war pewter button...or what was left. I guess I'm lucky I got to ID it.

Dug a few other nice flat buttons including a big ol' tombac. Also found my first keg spigot...or what was left.

Then got a good lead signal and dug the lead bale seal. I was pumped because it's the first marked one I've found. If anyone recognizes the marking, I'd love to know any info! The drawing is what I assume is missing from the seal.

Also found a small tag that had lines etched in it. Not sure what it is. Any info would help.

And last but NOT least...I dug a cut silver from the field. I was on the way back to the truck and had the coil down and not swinging and I nailed it 100' from truck! This is the first 1/2 ....or 1/3 I believe...and also my first pillar reale! I was flying high and figured I'd try a few more minutes and 5' away and 3" down I got my 3rd cut pistareen! After that I decided to quit while I was ahead. I'll remember today for a while. 3 very cool firsts made up for the button disappointment.

 

[MT_Joe]

Excellent stuff!

 

[AQUA]

Sweet coins !!!

That is high on my want list.

Too bad about the button...pewters can be awesome and can be dismal.

 

[Flathead25]

Sweet coins !!!

That is high on my want list.

Too bad about the button...pewters can be awesome and can be dismal.

Thanks Aqua!

I almost want to leave and clean them up right away when I find the old pewters. They seem to crumble before your eyes.

 

[dirtydig]

one of the few people i see using a nautilus, i miss mine, congrats on the silver!

 

[Flathead25]

one of the few people i see using a nautilus, i miss mine, congrats on the silver!

Thanks dirtydig. That machine definitely taught me how to "listen" to metal! Have to admit I did get an AT recently. I like it but don't think it is as deep as that Nautilus. But I have picked off some finds I missed with it...

 

[WHADIFIND]

I am really going to have to start every hunt by walking backwards from my car! LOL

Excellent finds!!

 

[park pirate]

Looks an awesome hunt...

 

[relicmeister]

Congrats my friend, those are some serious finds, great site!

 

[Steve in PA]

Congrats on the cut Spanish silvers, it's always nice to find one of those. Too bad about the Continental USA button. Seems that is the norm with those old pewters.

 

[Metdet49]

Sweet finds Flathead! Love that cut silver.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Sweet firsts! Great finds.

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html

 

[HomeGuardDan]

nice finds - I hope this helps with the sting. I don't think that was a USA button. The intertwined USA buttons are very specific. The fact that you can plainly see the top of the U would mean that the S would be intertwined within it - it is clearly not. Likewise there is enough of the button left where you would see the S and A as well. Here is a USA NC button that I dug - you can see what I mean by the spacing of the intertwined letters.

Now that being said - it very well could be a regimental button of some sort - it is pewter and the rim and raised mark looks to be right for the period.




Dan

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Any time you can dig 2 pieces of early silver is what I call a great day. Nice hunt!

 

[Iron Patch]

nice finds - I hope this helps with the sting. I don't think that was a USA button. The intertwined USA buttons are very specific. The fact that you can plainly see the top of the U would mean that the S would be intertwined within it - it is clearly not. Likewise there is enough of the button left where you would see the S and A as well. Here is a USA NC button that I dug - you can see what I mean by the spacing of the intertwined letters.

Now that being said - it very well could be a regimental button of some sort - it is pewter and the rim and raised mark looks to be right for the period.




Dan

One other thing to support that theory is the face of the button looks to have damage from an iron shank rusting through the button. I don't recall seeing any USA pewters with iron shanks, just pewter ones.

 

[AQUA]

Thanks Aqua!

I almost want to leave and clean them up right away when I find the old pewters. They seem to crumble before your eyes.

I found 12 pewter REV WAR buttons this winter most are in good shape with some in excellent shape...dug in saltwater.

3 of the last 4 were in bad shape...heart breaking...they are better than coins any day to me.

 

[Flathead25]

nice finds - I hope this helps with the sting. I don't think that was a USA button. The intertwined USA buttons are very specific. The fact that you can plainly see the top of the U would mean that the S would be intertwined within it - it is clearly not. Likewise there is enough of the button left where you would see the S and A as well. Here is a USA NC button that I dug - you can see what I mean by the spacing of the intertwined letters.

Now that being said - it very well could be a regimental button of some sort - it is pewter and the rim and raised mark looks to be right for the period.


View attachment 970117

Dan

Dan, I appreciate the info...but I thought I had this one pegged. I don't have the Troiani book, but I see there are different USA button types. I was a little skeptical at first, as well, but I noticed the outer leg of the U starts very close to the button rim (like in the picture). As for the S not being intwined...I am missing that part. My pic is not the best but I definitely see the top of the S intwined. I can barely make out the other leg of the U, but it looks worn and starts to lose it in the corrosion. Then the top of the A to the far right is there as well. I agree it's definitely not the NC button you have but I strongly believe it is one of the other enlisted man's types. I also traced the good edge of the button and carried it around to complete the missing part. It measured 22-23 mm. It was a crude measurement, but it added to my belief. Like I said, I thought I had this one for sure, so no offense. Let me know what you think of how I came to my decision. I can also try to get a better pic to see more detail of the letters. Thanks




https://thumbp2-gq1.mail.yahoo.com/...tid=2&f=1648&fid=Inbox&fullscan=1&w=800&h=800

 

[leddel]

pewter crumbles and flakes apart from drying out , for future pewters try to carry a small
plastic ziploc baggy and when you find another button or pewter item place
it in the baggy with the moist or wet dirt you dug it from . this will save it until you can quickley
clean and treat to preserve it. congrats on the cut silver

 

[Flathead25]

Dan, I appreciate the info...but I thought I had this one pegged. I don't have the Troiani book, but I see there are different USA button types. I was a little skeptical at first, as well, but I noticed the outer leg of the U starts very close to the button rim (like in the picture). As for the S not being intwined...I am missing that part. My pic is not the best but I definitely see the top of the S intwined. I can barely make out the other leg of the U, but it looks worn and starts to lose it in the corrosion. Then the top of the A to the far right is there as well. I agree it's definitely not the NC button you have but I strongly believe it is one of the other enlisted man's types. I also traced the good edge of the button and carried it around to complete the missing part. It measured 22-23 mm. It was a crude measurement, but it added to my belief. Like I said, I thought I had this one for sure, so no offense. Let me know what you think of how I came to my decision. I can also try to get a better pic to see more detail of the letters. Thanks

https://thumbp2-gq1.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=2453301793&mid=AGB2w0MAACBMU0BzBAAAAGqyNX0&midoffset=2_0_0_1_1343490&partid=2&f=1648&fid=Inbox&fullscan=1&w=800&h=800

Here is a better pic showing more detail of whats left of the letters. Let me know what you think. If not a USA pewter, any thought on what it might be? Thanks

 

[HomeGuardDan]

It def looks like it wants to be a USA, but I stand by the design of the button. I am not certain what it is, but with the USA you would clearly see the entire U, and most of the A as they are very close together. Post a pic of the back.