The Mysterious PN Button, 17th Century Buckles and a Decorative Watch Key

[Lost Signal]

Gnats weren't too bad, during parts of this weekend, so I got out to a new spot. It's not loaded with targets, but what I've found has been pretty interesting.

Dug two early buckles. Seems like they could be 17th century.

The watch key has a classical reclining figure, so maybe late 18th - early 19th century. It's my first watch key, and I don't know much about them. If anyone could help with the time period, I would appreciate it.

The find that I'm most excited about is the PN button. I've seen a few posted by my fellow South Carolinians, and I'm really intrigued. Maybe there has been some new information published on them? Mine is in great shape for pewter. You can sort of make out the "P" through the shank.

Thanks for looking.

 

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[Steve in PA]

Those are early buckles and nice looking too. Cool watch winder. Interesting button. Is that some kind of backmark?

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[CASPER-2]

contact this guy on your button
https://www.dontroiani.com/

 

[toasted]

The buckle on the left is real nice. I dont have one like that

 

[smokeythecat]

Good saves. I don't believe anyone has figured out who the maker really was. That is one of the earliest backmarked buttons out there.

 

[CRUSADER]

The left one is a 1690-1720s buckle, the right one I think is even earlier.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Man the moment I saw those buckles I thought... you're on a very early site my friend!

If that pocket watch winder was mine, I'd give it a 'soft tumble' to remove to the impacted dirt, but leaving the details.

Dave

 

[Lost Signal]

Thanks everyone.

Steve - I think mbcuce can help me clean up the watch winder. There's definitely more detail, there. I think the figure is Diana the Huntress.

Casper - I'm going to reach out to your contact this morning.

Toasted - It's the same for us. Within my group, we have a few like the buckle on the right, but the left one is is a first, and one of my favorite buckle-finds.

Steve - The "PN" is some kind of back mark but, as far as I know, the source has not been discovered. Some have been found in association with Rev War sites, so they have inspired much debate. There are a few threads on tnet.

 

[Silvermonkey]

Wow...those are some early buckles man! Great stuff.

 

[mbcuce]

That PN is something significant. I don't think its a makers mark, they are always so discreet. This is signifying something in my opinion.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congrats on the nice relic hunt!

 

[Lost Signal]

That PN is something significant. I don't think its a makers mark, they are always so discreet. This is signifying something in my opinion.

Among the many theories I've recently read, one says that the PN is a maker's mark of a Phillip Norman. All I could find was an English silversmith in the 1760's. His mark is below.
To me, one strike against the maker's mark theory is that the few buttons, that I've seen photos of, have considerable variation in the look of the PN. Mine has serifs. Some others do as well, but some don't. I suppose a maker's mark would not have to be consistent but most seem to be.
At the same time, I can't imagine why something on the back of a button would be symbolic.