XMAS came early- USA Rev War and Signet Ring!

[Patriot Relics]

Hey guys,

Been watching enviously over the last month while many Tnet members have been recovering incredible Rev War buttons . In between picking my jaw off the floor, I managed to get a few hours of swinging on some promising dirt. December scouting has been a bit hit or miss, the occasional flat button or clad saving a skunked hunt...that being said a short hunt this evening changed all that.

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a button guy...and Revolutionary War pewters are at the top of the list. While it would be neat to dig a gold coin, nothing gets my heart going like pewter in a plug. The challenge on the salt flat is pewter buttons ring in on the CTX as small trash. Needless to say I dig alot of small lead and aluminium fragments. I'd had success in the past with British regimental buttons, but never dug a patriot variety. While an SC pewter would be top of the list, I still did a back flip when I saw this!



Keep in mind I thought for sure this site saw action...I just couldn't prove it with the blank american made pewters I had recovered there. Here's what the 3 previous digs accumulated



Check continental USA enlisted off the bucket list



At 23.5mm appears to be A.USA.A.a. in Don's book



Dig managed to recover a few other early relics. The coolest was this small copper with gold gilt signet rings. Appears to depict a script A on the front- guessing early 1800.



This brass piece does resemble a crude belt tip- opinions welcome.



Also scored a nice pile of flat buttons



Pair of zouave buttons



This one looked crazy out of the ground, but likely a late victorian brooch (diamonds are glass)



Finally from 1776 to 1902- US great seal army button



This will likely round out 2017 with only a few more days to digs before the holiday. As always thanks for looking and merry Christmas.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Very nice bunch of finds, love the ring.

Why would ''zouave buttons'' have a New York backmark? 99% of these I've seen posted so far are civilian.

Didn't give them much thought, I generically refer to these as zouave buttons, but just as likely these are civilian. Thinking military post war (1877+ based on the backmark)

 

[Patriot Relics]

Congrats on the USA button. I know that you got all excited when that appeared.

I hope you and the family have a nice holiday. Best of luck to you sir!

Much appreciated Tom, this one is a special button as it's my first confirmed patriot button.

 

[Iron Patch]

You'll relive that moment many times! I too think a gold coin would be cool, very cool if it's an early one, but a killer Rev War button is a rush that lasts for me. Since 2014 I've dug a half dozen that I really REALLY like, and even if I can get half that many over the next few years I'd be happy with that, and anxious to see what they'd be.

 

[Calabash Digger]

WOW ! those are some killer finds!

 

[Patriot Relics]

Great saves, and the little ring is a very nice recovery

Always liking a good read, but not knowing what side of a debate to go on being the "Zouave button" so I got somewhat confused trying to figuring out the age.

This link has this button as Civil war era
https://www.etsystudio.com/listing/264226425/brilliant-and-beautiful-brass-ball

This site for dating the manufactures
[TABLE="width: 640"]
[TR]
[TD]H. V. ALLIEN & CO. [/TD]
[TD]1877-1948[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Button Back Marks

So if the sale site is correct it's Civil War era. If the dates of Mfting. is correct it's post Civil War era.

Spot on pepper, backmark dates from 1877 so either post war or civilian. Appropriate term is probably ball button vs zouave as no military connection

 

[Patriot Relics]

You had a lot of thrills and excitement digging all those. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Happy holidays to you as well scruggs, greatful we southern boys get to dig throughout the winter

 

[Patriot Relics]

Great finds man. That USA button is killer for sure. Looking forward to getting out again on some new dirt in 2018!

Thanks bud, never thought we'd see one of these in that dirt.

 

[DownNDirty]

Congratulations again on finding that rare USA button. The other three pewters look identical to it except for the missing "USA."- maybe the raised letters were eaten away by salt water? Very nice ring too!

 

[Patriot Relics]

The USA button is a magnificent piece of history... as is the ring/rest of the relics...you had a great day congratulations.
Gary

Thanks G.A.P- great to finally have a continental button in the display

 

[btripp6]

Outstanding day!!

 

[Patriot Relics]

You'll relive that moment many times! I too think a gold coin would be cool, very cool if it's an early one, but a killer Rev War button is a rush that lasts for me. Since 2014 I've dug a half dozen that I really REALLY like, and even if I can get half that many over the next few years I'd be happy with that, and anxious to see what they'd be.

Lol spot on IP- not saying I wouldn't be excited to see gold, but there's a reason I don't display coins. I probably dug 1000 plugs of possible pewter signals at this site before this one finally showed up. Trust the research I suppose and just keep swinging the coil. Southern diggers have a long way to catch up to you guys up in Canada, but with that NC and this USA there are certainly more buttons waiting to be found.

 

[Patriot Relics]

WOW ! those are some killer finds!

Thanks Calabash- sadly the DEUS sat this one out, CTX scores another

 

[DirtStalker]

Jon I think you're mistaken. I checked in DnDs book Swamps and Mudpits. He says on page 54 that is a Swamp Augers( S.A. ) button and a lot more rare. Seriously congrats on your dig

 

[Patriot Relics]

Congratulations again on finding that rare USA button. The other three pewters look identical to it except for the missing "USA."- maybe the raised letters were eaten away by salt water? Very nice ring too!

Definitely wondering the same thing, construction is nearly identical

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Outstanding!

 

[Stef45]

Awesome button find! Still drooling over it. Also, gold coin is a "neat" find! Get out of here lol. Hope we can find some new dirt because I was skunked today on finds and new dirt.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on some great finds.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Jon I think you're mistaken. I checked in DnDs book Swamps and Mudpits. He says on page 54 that is a Swamp Augers( S.A. ) button and a lot more rare. Seriously congrats on your dig

He lives!!! Hope your healing up well. Thanks buddy

 

[Kurios1]

I love my old buttons too. Congrats on the rev war pewter USA button. Killer find. Same for the great haul of other buttons and relics. Excellent hunt.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Awesome button find! Still drooling over it. Also, gold coin is a "neat" find! Get out of here lol. Hope we can find some new dirt because I was skunked today on finds and new dirt.

Drought can't last forever, still laughing a bit after I sent you the the picture and you asked me what it was. Keep door knocking, another honeyhole will pop up.