✅ SOLVED Button ID

[Umbrahabitator]

Hello,

Found me a button and can't ID it, any help is appreciated.

The most prominent feature is the four leaves but search inquiries under that line bring up four-leaved clovers. I have not thoroughly cleaned the back to look for backmarks as I can't get the crud off and I don't know of any non-destructive way to do so, it is so well adhered that it may as well be part of the button. I tried a quick bath in olive oil with no luck and then a 15 min bath in vinegar and it softened some of it but I pulled it out before it could eat away at the button itself.

Thank you

 

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[ANTIQUARIAN]

It's a squished two-piece civilian coat button.
Based on the design, it probably dates to the 1860 - 70 period.

My best guess would be that it's European based on the design.

Dave

 

[Umbrahabitator]

Very good, that is great news for the location I am in and hopefully means it has friends that will soon join it in my collection.

Thank you

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very good, that is great news for the location I am in and hopefully means it has friends that will soon join it in my collection.

Thank you

I find quite a lot of 'European' made buttons here in Canada.
What you really need are guys like Crusader or TheCannonballGuy to chime in here as well.

I don't think your 'mystery button' is solved yet, my opinion is only one of many on this amazing website my friend.
Dave

 

[Umbrahabitator]

Thank you, I marked it as unsolved. Your assessment of what it is gives me hope, I am still new and it is really blowing my mind how old some of the stuff is or could be.

 

[ticndig]

I agree , mid 1800s fashion button. try cleaning the back with a tooth pick.

 

[Umbrahabitator]

I agree , mid 1800s fashion button. try cleaning the back with a tooth pick.

I managed to clean the button a little more with a toothpick. I soaked the backside of the button in vinegar and then tried to pick a little bit away at a time in 20-minute intervals. I reached a point where I don't know if a toothpick and vinegar will do the job anymore and I worry my vinegar method might damage the button. I cleaned it up and put some WD-40 on it for now. Any suggestions?

 

[ticndig]

I've never used vinegar but have used lemon juice or peroxide . sometimes stuff just won't budge and often things look worse after too much cleaning.
I think you stopped at a good point do you see any writing on the back?

 

[Umbrahabitator]

I've never used vinegar but have used lemon juice or peroxide . sometimes stuff just won't budge and often things look worse after too much cleaning.
I think you stopped at a good point do you see any writing on the back?

Sadly, I didn't see anything in the way of writing. I don't know if this detail helps or wasn't already obvious, but I suspect the center portion is of a different metal composition as the rust is very apparent there.

 

[ticndig]

A two piece fashion button with a tin back . now I doubt it's as old as I thought as tin rots pretty fast. but it's still a nice find for your collection.
Be careful how you clean two piece buttons ,the liquid will get between the two and may continue eat long after you've stopped soaking it.
some Military buttons are worth big bucks and you don't want to damage them . .

 

[FloodcityTom]

Cleaned just enough, I use apple cider vinegar but only soak for 15 mins in diluted mixture of water. May be a civilian "Flower" button but it also maybe a pull knob from a chest of drawers. I've never seen that type of backing on old buttons. Nice find though

 

[devldog]

Very pretty button with detail. A lot of Relic Hunters refer to these as civilian flower buttons as Floodcity mentioned above. A lot of Confetrit' troops were wearing variations of civilian buttons by mid to late war and these types of buttons can be found where southern troops were encamped. Congrat's on a Great save.

 

[Umbrahabitator]

Thanks for the help everyone, I learned how to clean relics with minimal damage and got a button out of the dirt so it is a win-win for me.