Blowhole Buttons Only.....

[Kirk PA]

My goal today was to find a Blowhole button in my collection. Out of the hundreds of buttons I have recovered over the last 3 years, I knew I had excavated one of these. As of 10 a.m., I officially did not have a recollection of digging one, but I was determined to scour my collection to prove myself wrong. After about 10 minutes, I finally found what I was looking for. There was still dirt in the blowholes, so that is why I had missed it earlier. I was thrilled nonetheless. I had to add it to my "18th Century Display." I also found a few more Colonial buttons that I added to the display and a pair of octagonal cufflinks. This is what makes the winter months totally worth it.

Post your Blowhole buttons on this thread!

Kirk

 

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[RELICDUDE07]

My best guess is French made.I only say that because some of the things found at the site & in my area French period (1719-1722)‎. Maybe i'm wrong if crusader finds them a lot -but the English & spanish had different ways of casting buttons in this time....

 

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[Kirk PA]

I personally think the vast majority of blowhole (vent back) buttons we find are more like early to mid 1700s, yes they first appeared past 1675 or so but based on the ones I have found over the years, most of my sites at the earliest would be 1730 or so, with most being Rev War era and later. Not to say one could have had the buttons/clothing for many years before settling here, but in general I think they are of that era.

I went through my button boxes, where I did not have that type seperated and this is all I could find, some with just the back shell, I know I have others but heavens knows what nock or cranny I have them stored at.


This photo is from a very isolated site that shows a good representation of what was found along with the blowhole button, I estimate the site to have been occupied only for a short time (less than a generation) and most likely from 1730 till perhaps 1760s. I believe this sawmill was abandoned about then and bigger one built on a nearby stream, thus closing this one down.



Don

Thank you for the presentation, Don. You do have a lot of these buttons and should be proud to say that you have hunted the earliest sites that SJ can offer. We found three Blowhole buttons last year as a group. I believe Kyle got two from the productive Colonial site in March.

Since I have learned more about them, I could dig these buttons all day long.

Kirk

My best guess is French made.I only say that because some of the things found at the site & in my area French period (1719-1722)‎. Maybe i'm wrong if crusader finds them a lot -but the English & spanish had different ways of casting buttons in this time....

Thank you for sharing the Blowhole buttons that you excavated in West Florida.

Kirk

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I was not familiar with these buttons. Thanks to CC for bringing these to my attention.

Being an ex-A/C repairman and plumber, I can verify that you cannot solder a pipe without an exit for the expanding gases.
If you dont vent the pipe somewhere, it will blow the solder out of the seam.
Thus the need for blow holes.

I know most shanks are soldered but are modern 2 piece buttons pressed together?
Is it done after the shank is soldered?

 

[Elad]

I have a fourth one somewhere, but I can't seem to find it.

​

 

[Steve in PA]

Here are some of mine.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

I just got one yesterday, there were two in the same hole. I already gave one away. I don't think I've found a complete one before, but haven't checked over all my junk buttons.

Anyway I found this thread searching for info on it, it is in good condition, and was included in my last post 1816 6 pence. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/todays-finds/294250-1816-6-pence-fat-button.html#post2777019

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

I found one in my junk box, in great shape... What is the value on one of these buttons? If I did not live paycheck to paycheck I would not have asked... Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[SouthJerseyJim]

Here are most of my blowhole buttons, solder seem buttons and my treasured nipple button collection.

 

[worldtalker]

Here are most of my blowhole buttons, solder seem buttons and my treasured nipple button collection.

Have a pic of the shank side of those nipples?

 

[SouthJerseyJim]

will flip and take a pic when I get home. All are missing shank. Some iron can be seen left on some.

 

[Iron Patch]

Have a pic of the shank side of those nipples?

Last pic, bottom row, 2nd last button looks to be a French Marines.

 

[Thirftstore]

When you said blow hole buttons my mind went right in the gutter.

 

[Djreversal]

Found one today..

 

[snaps]

Great educational post! lucky enough to find a couple over the years, as mentioned, really thought that honker on the left was something else when spied in the hole! Noticed that 2 on the left have a a curious extra "blowhole" in the front?? with one id dismiss, two seems intentional.

 

[snaps]

OH yea, Ive heard more than one digger refer to them as " Napoleon" buttons.