button ID?

[Stegner]

Found this button at a site that has produced items from the 1950s, and as early as Revolutionary-era musketballs. Button has no writing or no design on the front or the back - unique tented style.
Can anyone give me an idea of the age of this button, or if it's notable? Are there key items to look for on old metal buttons that would help me self-I.D. old buttons in the future?

 

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[Iron Patch]

Old. Fits in with your early finds.

Dating them basically comes down to two things, the construction and a backmark for those that have em.

 

[CRUSADER]

very early 1800s

 

[Lucas]

Yup those domed ones show up around here on c. 1780–1820 sites. They are rare.

 

[kuger]

Great button!!

May I ask,how can you tell a Rev. war musketball ball from any other??

 

[Iron Patch]

Great button!!

May I ask,how can you tell a Rev. war musketball ball from any other??

If you had no other finds dating between Rev and modern (post ball era anyway), that could be one scenario. In our early French areas we can pick out the early to mid. 18th century balls they used because they are a smaller caliber. Generally you can't date musket balls very well but sometimes you can, but it's all about the context of the find. Either that, or split it in two and count the rings.

 

[Lucas]

Size is a good clue too. The U.S. went to .69 cal as a standard in the late 18th century, so if you find balls in the .72+ size range, they are probably Brit size (also used by the U.S. for a while). Last use of .75 cal muskets by U.S. militia is around 1830.

 

[Stegner]

Great button!!

May I ask,how can you tell a Rev. war musketball ball from any other??

Your question is a fair one and I have no good answer - other than knowing that there were a lot of pre-Revolutionary homes there, and the search site is near a known battle site. Without a micrometer I eyeballed the OD of the musketball against a ruler - hard to say for sure but its probably closer to the .69 late 18th century standard.

Thanks to all on the button ID - if you have a preferred weblink or book you reference to identify button backmarks, style, etc. any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[Iron Patch]

Great button!!

May I ask,how can you tell a Rev. war musketball ball from any other??

Thanks to all on the button ID - if you have a preferred weblink or book you reference to identify button backmarks, style, etc. any guidance would be appreciated.

Probably this one. Between being out of print, and dating websites attaching to what looked like good Google hits, in 10 minutes of looking I couldn't even find a pic online. But do own a copy as you can see.

Price probably anywhere from $50-$125.

 

[kuger]

Thanks Guys.I have dug thousands of balls just thought maybe I was missing something.
Out here we didnt have a lot of early 1700's activity and not until the 1850's did we have a huge influx.I have found balls from .31 -.72 in 1850's sites though.

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks Guys.I have dug thousands of balls just thought maybe I was missing something.
Out here we didnt have a lot of early 1700's activity and not until the 1850's did we have a huge influx.I have found balls from .31 -.72 in 1850's sites though.

Curious.... have you ever dug a belted ball?

 

[Stegner]

Great button!!

May I ask,how can you tell a Rev. war musketball ball from any other??

Thanks to all on the button ID - if you have a preferred weblink or book you reference to identify button backmarks, style, etc. any guidance would be appreciated.

Probably this one. Between being out of print, and dating websites attaching to what looked like good Google hits, in 10 minutes of looking I couldn't even find a pic online. But do own a copy as you can see.

Price probably anywhere from $50-$125.

Whooo - only available out-of-print at Amazon for $800 - I'll keep looking but thanks for the advice!

 

[Iron Patch]

Great button!!

May I ask,how can you tell a Rev. war musketball ball from any other??

Thanks to all on the button ID - if you have a preferred weblink or book you reference to identify button backmarks, style, etc. any guidance would be appreciated.

Probably this one. Between being out of print, and dating websites attaching to what looked like good Google hits, in 10 minutes of looking I couldn't even find a pic online. But do own a copy as you can see.

Price probably anywhere from $50-$125.

Whooo - only available out-of-print at Amazon for $800 - I'll keep looking but thanks for the advice!

If you look around enough you'll probably find a new copy for sale somehwere. I can't remember what mine cost... either $55 or $85, something like that.

 

[kuger]

I am not sure I.P.,really dont think so. I like you dont pay bullets and such much attention

 

[Iron Patch]

I am not sure I.P.,really dont think so. I like you dont pay bullets and such much attention

No, you'd remember these.

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firearms/british/brunswick/brunswick.htm

 

[kuger]

Nope,your right never have even seen one dug!!Learn something new all the time!!!

 

[Iron Patch]

Nope,your right never have even seen one dug!!Learn something new all the time!!!

I've lost track of how many places I've hunted the last 10 years but only one little strip of shoreline gives these up. They're not valuable by any means but sure don't turn up often.

 

[timekiller]

Nope,your right never have even seen one dug!!Learn something new all the time!!!

I've lost track of how many places I've hunted the last 10 years but only one little strip of shoreline gives these up. They're not valuable by any means but sure don't turn up often.

There purdy neat IP,dug some oldies here but none like that
O'wait how about these I find out in the yard!
(I coudn't resist)
Take Care!

 

[Iron Patch]

Nope,your right never have even seen one dug!!Learn something new all the time!!!

I've lost track of how many places I've hunted the last 10 years but only one little strip of shoreline gives these up. They're not valuable by any means but sure don't turn up often.

There purdy neat IP,dug some oldies here but none like that
O'wait how about these I find out in the yard!
(I coudn't resist)
Take Care!

They could be stunt doubles to fire at Kirk PA! Na... we'll fire the real ones.

 

[timekiller]

Nope,your right never have even seen one dug!!Learn something new all the time!!!

I've lost track of how many places I've hunted the last 10 years but only one little strip of shoreline gives these up. They're not valuable by any means but sure don't turn up often.

There purdy neat IP,dug some oldies here but none like that
O'wait how about these I find out in the yard!
(I coudn't resist)
Take Care!

They could be stunt doubles to fire at Kirk PA! Na... we'll fire the real ones.

That's right will just lighten the charge behind them so they sting real good! Cause I think I seen somewhere he's getting hitched.