Military Button and assorted finds from dig site.

[WYO_Yote]

Hi all. Frequent lurker, first time poster.

I have been digging at a site for the last couple of days and have uncovered quite an assortment of bullet casings, lead shot, horse shoes and varies other interesting pieces. The most notable however is the military button. Ive searched around the www and of course have come upon similar buttons but would like help in determining exactly what I have found; date, branch etc.

Also, I took some pics of the back end of one of the casing, as you can see the lettering goes (clockwise) C - 79 - F -3. Is it safe to say that the 79 would mean 1879?

I live in SE Wyoming if that helps anyone. Thank you!

 

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[nhbenz]

Welcome to TreasureNet!
A distinct aspect of the backmark on your button is that it has a Depressed Mark in a Depressed Channel (DMDC), which helps date it... except I don’t have my reference books with me. However, 1850’s-1865 is what is stated at the site below, who say they are referencing a book from Tice, which is good, since online sources without clear book references often have many mistakes. Hopefully someone with a book can confirm the info.
http://www.relicman.com/buttons/Button9901-Backmark-WaterburyButtonCo120.html

 

[fyrffytr1]

Nhbenz was correct in his ID. According to Tice's book that particular backmark was used between the late 1850s and 1865.

 

[WYO_Yote]

Awesome and thank you! Based on these dates would it be safe to assume it was a Civil war button?

 

[DCMatt]

The cartridge looks like a 45-70. C= carbine. F= Frankford Arsenal. 3 -79 = March 1879.

Those are some good digs! Button, bullets/casings, heel plate, and what appears to be a rifle tool/shell extractor of some sort. Better go back and dig everything...

 

[devldog]

Great finds there. The button looks to be what is referred to as a Eagle Shield general service button, U.S. Other buttons or variants would identify as to what branch of the army the soldier served in. An Eagle shield with an I- would be Infantry, a C- would be Cavalry, an A- would be Artillery. I meant to add that the letters would appear to be in the center of the shields. Your button looks to be in good condition. Congrat's to you on your finds. It looks like you are on to a good site. Take your time and work this area hard.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Welcome to T-Net from Northern Virginia, them is some nice finds!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Awesome and thank you! Based on these dates would it be safe to assume it was a Civil war button?

It would be safe to say it is a civil war era button. Whether it saw action will never be known for sure. Here is an interesting read about Wyoming and the civil war even though Wyoming didn't become a state until 1868.

https://wyominghistory.blogspot.com/2015/06/wyoming-in-civil-war.html