Button Help.

[Garabaldi]

I just dug a Mass Volunteer Militia button. Does anyone know how old this is or anything else about this button?
Thank you.

 

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[Deftone]

Awesome button here is one like it! http://www.civilwaroutpost.com/m7_view_item.html?m7:item=UB14

 

[vayank54]

It's probably precivil war. They made that type of button at least into the 1870's. It's hard to tell but it looks like yours might have a Robinson backmark which would date it in the 1840's. It looks like the buttons should clean up really nice. I would soak it in a 50/50 solution of lemon juice and water or clean it with aluminum jelly. Buckleboy has a good post on cleaning buttons so you might want to check that out. If that button cleans up nice it should be worth about $15 to $20 or so.

 

[BuckleBoy]

It's probably precivil war. They made that type of button at least into the 1870's. It's hard to tell but it looks like yours might have a Robinson backmark which would date it in the 1840's. It looks like the buttons should clean up really nice. I would soak it in a 50/50 solution of lemon juice and water or clean it with aluminum jelly. Buckleboy has a good post on cleaning buttons so you might want to check that out. If that button cleans up nice it should be worth about $15 to $20 or so.

Agreed. I think there is some gilding hiding under that crust. My button cleaning post is in the "Cleaning and Preservation" section of the forum near the top.


-Buckles

 

[Iron Patch]

It's probably precivil war. They made that type of button at least into the 1870's. It's hard to tell but it looks like yours might have a Robinson backmark which would date it in the 1840's. It looks like the buttons should clean up really nice. I would soak it in a 50/50 solution of lemon juice and water or clean it with aluminum jelly. Buckleboy has a good post on cleaning buttons so you might want to check that out. If that button cleans up nice it should be worth about $15 to $20 or so.

I'm with you on the cleaning only I use full strength. My feeling is the jelly is too harsh and you'd need too much exposure to get all of it off. (which usually results in less than 100% cleaning for fear of eating it up) That is EXACTLY the condition that can be hiding a beautiful button! Some of the gilt officer buttons I've dug had a crud film just as thick and they came out beautiful. Pure luck of the draw, but a serious possibility on that one!

 

[Garabaldi]

Thank you all. I will check out the cleaning post buckleboy. I was told to be carefull to get water inside the button, because it will rust it out.

 

[easttndigger]

Thats a really great button..nice find

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Awesome button here is one like it! http://www.civilwaroutpost.com/m7_view_item.html?m7:item=UB14

 

[Montauk]

Bedford Flag. I thought I recognized the arm & sword with respect to Massachusetts.
One influencing the other I might surmise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_Flag

 

[vayank54]

I'm with you on the cleaning only I use full strength. My feeling is the jelly is too harsh and you'd need too much exposure to get all of it off. (which usually results in less than 100% cleaning for fear of eating it up) That is EXACTLY the condition that can be hiding a beautiful button! Some of the gilt officer buttons I've dug had a crud film just as thick and they came out beautiful. Pure luck of the draw, but a serious possibility on that one!
[/quote]

IP I've used full strength as well and still do at times. The reason I usually use a 50/50 mix is that I'll be doing 2 or 3 things at once and if you forget and leave the button in to long it will start taking the gold off. The reason I recommend a mix is that it is safer for people who have never used it before. There is less chance on the button being ruined. But I agree full strength will work.

 

[Iron Patch]

I'm with you on the cleaning only I use full strength. My feeling is the jelly is too harsh and you'd need too much exposure to get all of it off. (which usually results in less than 100% cleaning for fear of eating it up) That is EXACTLY the condition that can be hiding a beautiful button! Some of the gilt officer buttons I've dug had a crud film just as thick and they came out beautiful. Pure luck of the draw, but a serious possibility on that one!

IP I've used full strength as well and still do at times. The reason I usually use a 50/50 mix is that I'll be doing 2 or 3 things at once and if you forget and leave the button in to long it will start taking the gold off. The reason I recommend a mix is that it is safer for people who have never used it before. There is less chance on the button being ruined. But I agree full strength will work.
[/quote]


Noted, and the lemon does react quick enough you really don't have to leave it. (and possibly forget about it) I find a button is either going to flake, or not, and doesn't matter that much on the soak time. Seeing flaking even before the cleaning is definitely something you have to pay attention to. Luckily it's not something I have to deal with often on anything real good.

 

[boondocker]

Awsome button Gary, that one is on my find list.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

green check?