Calling All Button Experts...

[Silvermonkey]

Good Morning T-Net'ers,

I found this button deep in the woods in an area that has produced a fair number of colonial era items. It weighs about 2.4 grams , and is roughly 17 mm in diameter. It also has an unusual shank ( ? bird cage shank?). I believe its a RN Surgeon at Sea button ( circa early 1800's) but some of the details are not correct. If there is anyone out there who could help me with an ID, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Scott.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[BuckleBoy]

Hello Silvermonkey,

What you have there is a French Navy Button made between 1772 and 1789. Here is the page from the book "Le Bouton uniforme français" by Louis Fallou.

Regards,

Buck

 

[Silvermonkey]

Buck,
Thank you very much for taking the time to make this ID. I had some doubts about my initial assessment. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Scott

 

[BuckleBoy]

Buck,
Thank you very much for taking the time to make this ID. I had some doubts about my initial assessment. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Scott

The "bird cage shank" is always a sign that the button is French.

Cheers,

Buck

 

[Silvermonkey]

Great to know for future reference! Thanks!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Just asking for some additional education, in case I'm incorrect. I thought the shank on Silvermonkey's button is a turret shank, and a birdcage shank consisted of 4 wire legs joined at their top, as seen in the photo below, although that example is damaged.

(The button in the photo below is reported to be a World War Two era French Navy button.)

 

[DownNDirty]

Just asking for some additional education, in case I'm incorrect. I thought the shank on Silvermonkey's button is a turret shank, and a birdcage shank consisted of 4 wire legs joined at their top, as seen in the photo below, although that example is damaged.

(The button in the photo below is reported to be a World War Two era French Navy button.)

I was thinking the same thing-looks like a turret shank to me

 

[BuckleBoy]

Yes, I meant turret not bird cage. Read "bird cage" in the OP and my brain derailed!

thanks guys,

Buck

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

my brain derailed!

Yea that happens to me a lot lately

 

[Patriot Relics]

Nice job on the ID gents, very nice French 18th century navy button-I'm assuming its pewter?

 

[Iron Patch]

Nice job on the ID gents, very nice French 18th century navy button-I'm assuming its pewter?

No, it's the American ones that copied the design that are pewter.