Quick hunt at a new site. Cap gun and button identification. HELP!

GavinoGambino · Sep 22, 2015

Did a quick sweep at a new site yesterday and from what i pulled from the ground looks like ill be headed back.

Need help in identifying though. The cap gun is unlike any cap guns ive found before, anyone have any idea on this one? Also, this anchor button, is it navy?Ive found some like it before but im just curious to know if its military. Its 28mm and is a 2 piece (back is rusted off). Any info would help! Trying to date this site! Thanks guys

CRUSADER · Sep 22, 2015

Strange anchor on that one, whats the back like? Pretty sure its not British.

GavinoGambino · Sep 22, 2015

Heres the back.

CRUSADER · Sep 22, 2015

Steel back makes it more likely a mid-20th C blazer button. It doesn't have that military look to me.

Carolina Tom · Sep 22, 2015

I'm no expert... Crusader is an expert.

I was told that the older buttons have brass backs, that usually stay intact. Newer buttons have brass face and steel back, so inevitably, the new ones have no backs, because they rusted away. Yours looks rusty from the pic.

I hope that this is helpful, and I wish you the very best of luck.

Kevlardini · Sep 22, 2015

The cap gun looks like an older cast iron one from probably the 20's or 30's, however it's hard to say exactly. Try to put it in electrolysis, and maybe a name will appear from under all the rust.

GavinoGambino · Sep 23, 2015

Looks like its from the 1910s!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229171...arch_query=cast iron cap gun&ref=sr_gallery_7

CRUSADER · Sep 23, 2015

Carolina Tom said:
I'm no expert... Crusader is an expert.

I was told that the older buttons have brass backs, that usually stay intact. Newer buttons have brass face and steel back, so inevitably, the new ones have no backs, because they rusted away. Yours looks rusty from the pic.

I hope that this is helpful, and I wish you the very best of luck.

Thanks, but not really, I defer to IP. I just find a lot & like to know what all mine are. Military for me is weak, as I never invested in the books. The money going on other more important books (In terms of my Library priorities).

Steel backs did occur in some late 19th C Buttons, but as a general rule they are post-1900. So, the steel-back is the first alarm call & the odd shaped anchor was the second. I know its not British, but can't rule out Spanish (for example), however I think its unlikely.