Butten

[njrelicgairl]

Hi
I found this butten last month, and it looks like it has a bird on the front. I am not shore if its a civil war or just a civilian butten.

 

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[Kiros32]

Need a picture.

 

[njrelicgairl]

Posted two

 

[CRUSADER]

Looks like an early 1800s button with an eagle. Patronic/diplomatic?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Crusader is on the right track. Specifically, your ONE-PIECE brass button showing an upright spread-winged eagle with a shield on its chest is a US army uniform button made for use by Infantry, Artillery, and Riflemen, from 1821 to the mid-1830s. (The US Cavalry did not exist at that time.) This 1-piece brass version was replaced by the 2-piece version (having the same emblem) in the mid-1830s.

All of that being said... the US Army version mentioned above had a letter (for the branch of service, such as I, A, or R) on the shield. Since your button is too badly worn to see anything on its shield, it MIGHT be a "Militia" uniform button (which has a plain shield), shown in the Albert book as buttons GI-65 through 68.

 

[Kiros32]

Hi
I found this butten last month, and it looks like it has a bird on the front. I am not shore if its a civil war or just a civilian butten.
View attachment 1778288View attachment 1778289

I have a feeling there is a beautiful button hiding under that crust. I am not an expert on cleaning buttons, but if I were you I would seek guidance from this group on how to clean this properly.

 

[CRUSADER]

I have a feeling there is a beautiful button hiding under that crust. I am not an expert on cleaning buttons, but if I were you I would seek guidance from this group on how to clean this properly.

No detail is hiding its all lost/worn.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Congratulations on your US Army uniform button find!
This is great advice from Kiros... "if I were you I would seek guidance from this group on how to clean this properly".

I too have found a number of British War of 1812 buttons here in Ontario, most were in similar condition to yours.
The majority of mine were found in farm pastures where either horses or cows had urinated and stepped on them for many years.

Best of luck on preserving your piece for posterity,
Dave

 

[Kiros32]

No detail is hiding its all lost/worn.

I meant there is likely gold gilt left based on what I see on the back. I can't tell you how many times I have cleaned old buttons and revealed patterns or silver/gold finish remaining that was not visible initially.

 

[rick67]

Good luck with cleaning that up.

 

[A2coins]

That's a cool infantry button very nice

 

[njrelicgairl]

Thanks to all that commented on the button.I did try to clean some of the dirt of with a Que tip. I am scared to mess with it,being my first war button.
Is there some one on this forum that specializes in cleaning war buttons?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Crusader is on the right track. Specifically, your ONE-PIECE brass button showing an upright spread-winged eagle with a shield on its chest is a US army uniform button made for use by Infantry, Artillery, and Riflemen, from 1821 to the mid-1830s. (The US Cavalry did not exist at that time.) This 1-piece brass version was replaced by the 2-piece version (having the same emblem) in the mid-1830s.

All of that being said... the US Army version mentioned above had a letter (for the branch of service, such as I, A, or R) on the shield. Since your button is too badly worn to see anything on its shield, it MIGHT be a "Militia" uniform button (which has a plain shield), shown in the Albert book as buttons GI-65 through 68.

Thanks to all that commented on the button.I did try to clean some of the dirt of with a Que tip. I am scared to mess with it,being my first war button.
Is there some one on this forum that specializes in cleaning war buttons?

I would PM the gentleman above.
I've rarely met someone with more knowledge on early buttons then TheCannonballGuy!
Dave

 

[CRUSADER]

I meant there is likely gold gilt left based on what I see on the back. I can't tell you how many times I have cleaned old buttons and revealed patterns or silver/gold finish remaining that was not visible initially.

The OP could clean up the gilt & make it nice & shinny with a QTip & lemon juice, but there is little point as it will only show up the stars we can already see. The front needs to be left alone.

 

[njrelicgairl]

I have heard of the Albert book on war buttons. Is that still available.

 

[fyrffytr1]

There are copies of it still available but the least expensive one I found was $50.00. There are newer references like the "Uniform Buttons of the United States" by Warren K. Tice. It is a good reference and I have it as well as the Albert's book.I find myself using Albert's book most of the time but only because I have had it much longer than Tice's.



RECORD OF AMERICAN UNIFORM AND HISTORICAL BUTTONS : WITH SUPPLEMENT : 1775-1973

 

[CRUSADER]

I have heard of the Albert book on war buttons. Is that still available.

Like most of our type of specialist books, its out of print & not that cheap, but if your love the hobby like I do, my Library was worth every penny.

 

[njrelicgairl]

thanks,For posting that. would this book be advalible on google books to see for free?

 

[fyrffytr1]

Not available as an e-book.

 

[Dug]

Your button was likely face up in the elements as I can see gilt on the backside. As others have pointed out your button is more worn than corroded which occurs when it is, worn on the uniform a lot. If it was mine I would not attempt to clean it further as you may remove the desirable patina on it. I would put a very light coat of either mineral oil or 3in1 oil on it and dab it dry.