OK........lookin for button people!

[DKinPA]

OK........lookin' for button people!

I'm posting these for a buddy who has recently joined TNET but is not comfortable with photos yet. These three buttons were found on what appears to be a very old site along with a "cookie" coin that I can't identify. I took it to my local expert.......Jeff of PA.........and his best guess on the coin was colonial copper based on size and weight.
Anyway, just looking to see if someone recognizes these buttons and give us some idea on age.

Thanks for lookin'!

Dave

 

[scratcher]

Re: OK........lookin' for button people!

They appear to be tombacs- likely 1700's

 

[vayank54]

Re: OK........lookin' for button people!

yep 1700's Tombac buttons

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Re: OK........lookin' for button people!



Tombac (rare French spelling) or Tombak is a brass alloy with high copper content and 5-20% zinc content[1]. Tin, lead or arsenic may be added for colouration[2]. [3]. It is a cheap malleable alloy mainly used for medals, ornament, decoration and some munitions. In older use, the term may apply to brass alloy with a zinc content as high as 28%-35%

one metal alloy, Tombac, was an import from Malay, where the root of the word meant copper. It was used in some cases to imitate gold, because the rose color of the copper was softened to almost yellow by the addition of zinc, tin, or other metals. The shanks of these buttons were often soldered in place with a sort of cone-shape buildup of metal on the back. This conical base at the shank is not exclusive to Tombac, however. The color of these buttons ranges from almost aluminum to almost a brassy color. Brass is also an alloy of copper and zinc, but the copper content is much higher in brass, so it is never a "white" metal

Tombac, like most metal buttons of the time, were generally large buttons, with some designs etched into the front. Hunting scenes are more rare, and would be considered to count as more exceptional in competitions, as would more elaborate floral designs, or shapes. Hope this helps. When we first came here the ID's were awesome but, we were unsure as to what Tombac meant. So,hopefully this completes your ID. Wecome! HHHH

 

[DKinPA]

Re: OK........lookin' for button people!

Thanks for the analysis you guys!! My buddy will be happy to know he's no doubt on a site that has/had 1700's era activity!!

Dave