1700s silver cufflinks engraved

[islandscope]

I thought I'd share this one in case anyone finds it interesting. I got a quick last hunt of the year in today and was striking out until nearly the end of my last line I got a midrange signal pretty deep so I took a look. My first thought was a broken two-piece button or something as the two pieces were coming apart in my hand. It didn't take long to realize they were cufflinks, and they were intact, and they might be silver. Turns out they were! And great shape too! A quick spit shine and I got some initials,"E" "L" I think, or vice versa, as they could go either way. A quick web search indicates they're 18th century, maybe revolutionary war era? I don't know the etiquette of posting links but they look an awful lot like a pair on this site found by Donnie B from VA in that they're octagonal with similar construction, but different insignia. If anyone knows about this stuff I'm all ears. They would clean up perfectly but I think I'll just keep the patina with a little silver highlight as is. Thanks!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[CMDiamonddawg]

Good day !

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Royn2751]

Really nice find.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Wow, those are freakin awesome!!

 

[Calabash Digger]

Nice cuffs!

 

[fishstick]

Major BUCKETLISTER!!!!!! CONGRATZ....

 

[trdking]

Beautiful set of cufflinks! Generally speaking, the octagonal ones date from the mid 18th century up to the Rev War period. The oval shaped ones became popular in the 1780s and onward until the first couple decades of the 19th century.

Many have said great pair of or set of cufflinks. Guys this is ONE 2 piece cufflink not a pair! (Not picking on you Steve ) ut this would have an identical friend to make a pair. That said, great find. Clean it up and search the back for a hall mark That should date it and tell you where it wa made. Definitely looks late 17 early 18's to me. Thumbs up

 

[Jyverb64]

Very cool

 

[Steve in PA]

Many have said great pair of or set of cufflinks. Guys this is ONE 2 piece cufflink not a pair! (Not picking on you Steve ) ut this would have an identical friend to make a pair. That said, great find. Clean it up and search the back for a hall mark That should date it and tell you where it wa made. Definitely looks late 17 early 18's to me. Thumbs up

You are correct trdking, I used the wrong terminology. You would think I would know better considering how many I have found, but cufflink lingo is a little tricky. So considering your coment, this is how I think they should be described, what do you think?
One piece = a sleeve button or half a cufflink
Two pieces linked = a linked pair or cufflink
Two linked pairs = one set of cufflinks

 

[trdking]

You are correct trdking, I used the wrong terminology. You would think I would know better considering how many I have found, but cufflink lingo is a little tricky. So considering your coment, this is how I think they should be described, what do you think?
One piece = a sleeve button or half a cufflink
Two pieces linked = a linked pair or cufflink
Two linked pairs = one set of cufflinks
View attachment 1786935

I have always used
One piece cuff link
two piece cuff link
When you have two of either you have a pair
Some times the 2 pieces linked are identical as shown above and sometimes the 2 linked pieces are not identical like a ball and a die or a ball and anything else thus not a pair
Thats just me. Cheers all and happy new year!