🥇 BANNER Revolutionary War Loyalist Dragoon button?

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Long day with Donnie Bailey .3 sites and not a lot of targets.last site gave up the button on the lip of real old cellar.thought it was just a plain button but as I was scrubbing it at home in the sink, this guy on horse appeared.looks definitely like a 1700's button and I have never seen another one like this. Hoping it could be military (Dragoon Button ) ? Or just a civilian button? looks somewhat like the SC loyalist button.Any confirmation and variety would be appreciated.Thanks!

 

[Kray Gelder]

I'm sorry, I got the State you found this mixed up with another post. I think what I mentioned above would hold with Connecticut. Unwise to display your loyalty to the King.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Awesome find, Dave! Let's hope it is what you think. If you get confirmation, you'll have my banner vote!

Thanks man! It has been confirmed

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

No one knows and anything that resembles an answer is speculation. It's an interesting mystery as many are dug in the UK and quite a few turn up in America too. Not all are the same either, which is another interesting factor. Loyalist makes no sense to me. (In the First book it was SC Dragoons - so clearly it's a best guess) Have never seen anyone dig one from this part of the world and myself and the people I know have been the main source of Loyalist military buttons being posted on here. And it's not like Loyalist (military) buttons turn up in any great numbers in the UK either.. they're actually pretty rare. Unfortunately explaining what I think it's not doesn't help any for what exactly it is... but unknown British is how I see it. Sort of the same idea as the Snake buttons... cool and sought after finds but no one seems to know for sure.

Thanks IP Don responded with this reply

 

[Scrappy]

Great button Gary! I can’t get in a conversation with the heavy hitters on buttons, but I will say its construction is period & British, which can led itself to rev war. That’s it, that’s all I know. Let things pan out, I have a good feeling it will be rev war.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Fantastic find Dave! Did Don date it to the Rev War period?

My banner vote is in

thanks! yes he did!

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

awesome!

 

[CRUSADER]

thanks! yes he did!

Rev War period or just after is a given, but the reason or intent behind it, either military or civilian is still unknown - IMO.

However, I'm not trying to detract from this great button find, only put it in the context of what we know.

So, my congrats to you, but live with the mystery a little longer.

 

[smokeythecat]

I think the bottom line is, "expert" opinions aside, no one has ever proven either the pewter buttons or the brass ones to be military. We all assume they are 18th century due to context, which is true, and military. I personally think they were military used, but I doubt anyone will ever be able to "prove" it. There are several other buttons out there in the same situation, including the rattlesnake buttons. I dug a lot in Rev War sites and we never found either a rider on horse button or any rattlesnake variety.

That being said it is still an outstanding find.

 

[CRUSADER]

I think the bottom line is, "expert" opinions aside, no one has ever proven either the pewter buttons or the brass ones to be military. We all assume they are 18th century due to context, which is true, and military. I personally think they were military used, but I doubt anyone will ever be able to "prove" it. There are several other buttons out there in the same situation, including the rattlesnake buttons. I dug a lot in Rev War sites and we never found either a rider on horse button or any rattlesnake variety.

That being said it is still an outstanding find.

Happy with that, we may yet get the answer, & it might surprise us all.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Great button Gary! I can’t get in a conversation with the heavy hitters on buttons, but I will say its construction is period & British, which can led itself to rev war. That’s it, that’s all I know. Let things pan out, I have a good feeling it will be rev war.

thanks.Gary Who? My name is Dave lol

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

thanks Cru!

 

[Scrappy]

thanks.Gary Who? My name is Dave lol

Oh shoot, sorry Dave! I wrote that half asleep

 

[smokeythecat]

BTW wish I had dug it.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Oh shoot, sorry Dave! I wrote that half asleep

lol it's ok

 

[The Patriot]

Beautiful button...congrats!!!

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks IP Don responded with this reply

I think still speculation at best, and does not explain why we never have found one on Loyalist sites that spit out Rev War buttons, and why they turn up in the UK in such numbers... more than America. So did both the British and Loyalists use them? -- only way it would be explained being found in the UK. And if so, then how can they be labelled as solely being Loyalist Dragoons? I've owned some of these going back probably 15 years so have been familiar for a long time and have paid attention through the years. I remember this coming up not all that long ago and don't think Don was aware how many of these are dug in the UK... and maybe he still isn't and that's a factor in his opinion. I have no doubt he's basing what he says on what he knows and makes sense, but I really can't see it. You also have to keep mind when your book says that it sort of ties you to that position a little. There's not many things I'd argue against Don on, and I guess I'm really not... I'm just saying I don't know and i don't believe anyone else does either.

 

[Steve in PA]

Thanks IP Don responded with this reply

Hey Dave, do you always agree with what Don Troiani says

 

[Steve in PA]

Fantastic button Dave, what a story it could tell. It would certainly clear up all the speculation. A lot of the Dragoon images I've seen have a rider with a sword over his head. I also have to agree with those that say the construction is the same as many civilian buttons of the period. How many tombac buttons do you have with the same boss on the back? Hopefully, you will get a reliable attribution.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

Beautiful button...congrats!!!

Thanks! I wish we can prove it's Rev War.

 

[Hawks88]

That’s a fantastic find and in very good condition. Congrats