help ID pewter military button

[Lost Signal]

I'm thinking this must be military, but I can't find it anywhere. It was found at a site where we have found a couple of revolutionary war buttons, some military from the War of 1812, and a few from between.

The back is still caked in dirt. It's about 1" in diameter. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

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[broken_detector]

A little.more cleaning might go along way to help identify it.

 

[Lost Signal]

A little.more cleaning might go along way to help identify it.

It's pretty fragile, but I brushed it a little more. Don't know if it will help.

 

[smokeythecat]

The manufacture looks to be American. I also haven't seen anything like it. It could be military, or an early livery button, made for a plantation owner. Even the American Rev War buttons were made better. Is there a chance of a letter on the right side?

 

[Lost Signal]

The manufacture looks to be American. I also haven't seen anything like it. It could be military, or an early livery button, made for a plantation owner. Even the American Rev War buttons were made better. Is there a chance of a letter on the right side?

I think that there might be a "D" on the right side. Not sure.

 

[fyrffytr1]

You might want to coat it with a 50/50 mixture of Elmer's glue and water. It will help preserve it.

 

[Lost Signal]

I think that there might be a "D" on the right side. Not sure.

After looking some more, I would say it's more likely a "1" or an "I", if anything.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to US colonial or military related relics, but my first thought was civilian clothing button?
The initials may simply be that of a British or French clothing maker.

I do hope it's early military though,
Dave

 

[Lost Signal]

I was able to clean it a little more and now I have a new theory... There appears to be a "U" along with the "S" and "A." The three letters are crude and not oriented in an expected way, but I think they represent USA. It seems possible that someone (not a manufacturer) scratched the letters into a decorative button mold in order to make a patriotic button, similar to field cast military buttons.

The orientation of the individual letters is the most puzzling feature, but after teaching art for over 20 years, I can easily see someone winging it and ending up with something like this.

Thoughts?

 

[A2coins]

It seems familiar to me cant place ot though. Your idea does seem plausible.