Waterbury Eagle 1, how do I clean it?

[chopper]

Finally found a button that I KNOW came off a C.W. uniform! I stared at this thing forever before I saw the eagle, it's banged up a little but I'm still super excited. I was never able to find confirmation that my first two were "confed. floral patterns" and I searched forever trying to figure out "503 A". This one has a roman numeral 1 in the shield. How do I clean it right?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[birdman]

I would soak it in olive oil for about a month and then litly clean it with a tooth brush and soapy water. Great find! Congrats.

 

[brnn53]

Do not use water! If you can see any gold gilt then use aluminum jelly to brighten it up but only if you see gold. Otherwise, use a toothpick or other wooden object to remove the surface corrosion (it takes time) and then use a soft brush, like a makeup brush, to further clean it. Olive oil will darken it, which depending on the condition of the button may or may not be an issue. Nice find and post a pic!
Mike

 

[Montana Jim]

Finally found a button that I KNOW came off a C.W. uniform! I stared at this thing for ever before I saw the eagle, it's banged up a little but I'm still super excited. I was never able to find confirmation that my first two were "confed. floral patterns" and I searched forever trying to figure out "503 A". This one has a roman numeral 1 in the shield. How do I clean it right?

Not a roman numeral "1"... If it looks like the one in my avatar, it's a capitol "I", for "I"nfantry...

Can you read anything on the back? The back mark?

I clean mine with soap, water, and a soft toothbrush. I've found over 60 of them and you can clean them with lots of things if you don't plan on selling it... LOL... Just like coins! I've done the olive oil thing too... like brnn said...

 

[chopper]

Thanks for the replies, M.J.- It looks "SCOVILL-MFG CO WATERBURY" and it is a "I" like yours, except mine is beat up and ugly!

 

[Montana Jim]

Thanks for the replies, M.J.- It looks "SCOVILL-MFG CO WATERBURY" and it is a "I" like yours, except mine is beat up and ugly!

1850 - 1865

Not a bad bunch of years! None of them are ugly... they just need a loving home!

Did you ever decide to clean it?

 

[chopper]

MJ- I went with the olive oil.
- found another button yesterday with the same markings on the back. This one has a large crest, with a shield inside it looks like a tiny banner above the shield, it says "e pluribus unum" in the banner. At the top it says "FORWARD". Any ideas? Thanks, C.

Now that I've been cleaning it for a week or so I can see 2 men standing on either side of the crest. The dude on the right has his right arm resting on the crest, and his right leg crossing the left. He's kinda leaning back on a cane or something.

 

[Montana Jim]

MJ- I went with the olive oil.
- found another button yesterday with the same markings on the back. This one has a large crest, with a shield inside it looks like a tiny banner above the shield, it says "e pluribus unum" in the banner. At the top it says "FORWARD". Any ideas? Thanks, C.

Now that I've been cleaning it for a week or so I can see 2 men standing on either side of the crest. The dude on the right has his right arm resting on the crest, and his right leg crossing the left. He's kinda leaning back on a cane or something.

I just saw this... did you ever figure it out? Sorry I missed the question from September!

Could be the Wisconson State seal button...