When is this button from??

[SpareSomeChange]

Here's a button i found near what used to be a very well known and used spring. Now it is never used and all but forgotten, it's been reclaimed by the woods. I'm not a button expert so when do yall think its from??
It's about a half inch across and is not magnetic.

 

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[xcopperstax]

I'm going to hazard a guess and say 1700's but it looks like it has a drilled shank which could help to date it and it might be older than that.

 

[Steve in PA]

I would consider it mid 18th century based on similar ones I've found and the sites they were found on. It would also help to know when the spring was in use.

 

[SpareSomeChange]

I had guessed the same as you gents then based on my internet detective work but i don't know anything about buttons, i just wanted to see what other people thought too. I can't say when the spring was first used but based on articles i've read i do know that there were farms very near it, it was a place for church-type meetings, a hangout spot for ne'er do wells and a campsite for a 10,000 strong civil war pass-through over the yrs. Probably much more than that too. The city of 100,000 people in PA that butts right up to this spring was founded in 1748. Exciting to think you may have found something from someone who founded your home city or at least had a critical role in it.

 

[smokeythecat]

They are correct, it's a mid 18th century civilian pattern button. You did well recovering it.

 

[CRUSADER]

Although I agree with 18th C, I'm surprised no-one mentioned how rare a Tombac Drilled Shank is. Never found one in the UK, so makes me think it's manufactured outside of the UK?
We find about 400-500 tombac buttons every year.

So the question should be WHERE is it from?

 

[CRUSADER]

PS. unless it's cast & looks drilled, but still not one we get here.

 

[Steve in PA]

Although I agree with 18th C, I'm surprised no-one mentioned how rare a Tombac Drilled Shank is. Never found one in the UK, so makes me think it's manufactured outside of the UK?
We find about 400-500 tombac buttons every year.

So the question should be WHERE is it from?

I have found drilled shank tombacs. Here is one I found last year that would have had a drilled shank Not real shiny like your classic tombac, but I have found lots of dull grey ones too. I would think this is US local or homemade.


Also,

Are these two piece buttons not considered tombac?

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[A2coins]

Great find

 

[CRUSADER]

I have found drilled shank tombacs. Here is one I found last year that would have had a drilled shank Not real shiny like your classic tombac, but I have found lots of dull grey ones too. I would think this is US local or homemade.
View attachment 1759994 View attachment 1759995

Also,

Are these two piece buttons not considered tombac?
View attachment 1759996

Yeap, I get those 18th C bi-metal drilled ones in your bottom picture, just not the other type.

 

[against the wind]

Nice job on the button.
Funny how a simple button can generate so much feedback.
Congratulations

 

[Trezurehunter]

Nice job on a great old button.

 

[rsilva02667]

Although I agree with 18th C, I'm surprised no-one mentioned how rare a Tombac Drilled Shank is. Never found one in the UK, so makes me think it's manufactured outside of the UK?
We find about 400-500 tombac buttons every year.

So the question should be WHERE is it from?

Interesting... here’s a drilled shank tombac that I found a couple years ago...

 

[CRUSADER]

Nice job on the button.
Funny how a simple button can generate so much feedback.
Congratulations

If it were a 'simple button' I may have ignored it, but it's not.