My oldest find - Early US Navy Button"Young, Smith & Co. New York"

[wayfas4u]

I had a great hunt with GaRebel1861 and Fyrffytr1 and found my oldest find of all. Thank you Cannonballguy for confirming this was manufactured sometime between 1830 and 1852!

 

[Ahab8]

Hey brother that's a hell of a button find. I found an early navy button that looked very similar and after a light cleaning with naval jelly it was beautiful. Wondering if yours has that potential. What a killer button. Happy for ya bud

 

[Ahab8]

Here I wanted you to see the difference

 

[vpnavy]

Nice finds! Thanks for sharing...

 

[Old Dude]

I would agree with Abe that with some very patient and deliberate cleaning, your button may just be even more sharp. Naval jelly is very strong, so take the time to read Buckleboy's post on cleaning and using it. Small steps in moderate use won't leave you wishing you had been slower.
Beautiful old button!

 

[diggervet]

That is gorgeous!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Very nice military button.

 

[Davers]

Awesome Pre-Civil War button.
Does look to have some Gilt left under the dirt , do be careful with that one.
davers

 

[Davers]

Here I wanted you to see the difference
View attachment 1099507
View attachment 1099508

Great results ABE 8.
Does that button have a Back?

Naval Jelly Does work well on gilt Buttons , If I recall The trick is 'A little at a time'..

 

[Ahab8]

Great results ABE 8.
Does that button have a Back?

Naval Jelly Does work well on gilt Buttons , If I recall The trick is 'A little at a time'..

That's the trick. Use a naval jelly soaked qtip and gently work the button for about 20 seconds. Then rinse with dish liquid to neutralize the naval jelly. Continue this process until desired results. It's a little scary. Mine is D Evans Co Attleboro. I think Wayfas is a few years older than mine

 

[StormSurge]

That's a nice navy button. Those and the marine corps buttons are really cool. Congrats.! Makes Ya want to go get some more.

 

[Metal Illness]

O wow, that is SWEET! Congrats on a wonderful "saved" piece of our history. Just do your research before attempting to clean, if that is what you decide to do. Again, BIG CONGRATS!!

 

[dirtlooter]

congrats on the button, hopefully it will clean up too, good luck

 

[danimal03]

real nice button. nice die design. It would make my month to find it.

 

[wayfas4u]

Wow! Thanks for the kind words Ahab8, yours cleaned up great! I will look into the Naval Jelly cleaning!

 

[wayfas4u]

Thank you all guys for the compliments! Can't wait to get back out there again!