can anyone identify this button?

[Garabaldi]

I dug it during low tide in boston where the British ships would have been before we won our freedom. I have also found musket balls and a British gold ring in the same area.
Thank you.

 

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[trikikiwi]

An interesting reference to an octagonal button;
Among the recoveries from the 1733 fleet have been small cast brass octagonal buttons like the example shown at the left. This button form is commonly encountered at Spanish military sites in eastern Florida and is associated with use by land forces (see San Agustín type on the "Military Buttons of Florida and Louisiana, ca. 1700-1795" page at this site). Was this the button of a hapless soldier temporarily assigned to naval duty or just catching a ride home, only to be lost at sea? Or was this a type of naval button of the period incompletely interpreted at this time?

1/3 down page here http://www.artifacts.org/Fleetpage.htm

Mike

 

[ivan salis]

it looks to have a "fluer de lis" type design on it -- if so think french.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Looks like a Shamrock to me, so it's Certainly Irish. :P

 

[CRUSADER]

Looks like a Shamrock to me, so it's Certainly Irish. :P

Or British, but definately a late 18th Century Cufflink (well at least 1/2 of it with the chain piece missing as well)

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Agreed, Shamrock.......Awesome

 

[ivan salis]

well I could only make out the "3" type design -- if its indeed a shamrock -- "british" / irish as they say it tis .

 

[PBK]

...definately a late 18th Century Cufflink (well at least 1/2 of it with the chain piece missing as well)

Example of a pair of sleeve link buttons:

http://www.jefpat.org/diagnostic/Small Finds/Cufflinks/Individual Pages/18AP52 GI octagonal.htm

 

[Garabaldi]

I looked up a cronological timeline of the history in South Boston and they meantion "1898- Spanish American War", so if Spanish ships were in South Boston it may have been a Spanish button, but the three leaf clover does seem to suggest British or Irish. I did find a British gold ring in the same area and a couple of musket balls. I am greatfull for all your help and input.
Garabaldi