✅ SOLVED need help w/ a crusty button

[tesorobandit]

Found today. Quite unable to remove grit and scale. Obviously an eagle ringed w/ stars, but with all the gunk and buildup, not to mention the rusty nondescript backside, I am just not sure if this is legit. I can't even tell if it is brass, definitely not the backside. Thoughts? Observations anybody?
Thanks
bandido

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Your button is a US Army "Staff Officer" button. The particular type you found was in service from 1854 to 1902.

Now speaking more specifically about the one you found... the extra-wide rim on it means it dates from the latter-1870s to 1902. Also, the back of it being made of iron means it is probably a Goodwin's 1875-1878 Patent version of US Army "Staff Officer" button.

I should mention, having a Patent date marking doesn't actually mean an object was made in that year, because they continued to be manufactured for several decades after the Patent date.

 

[tesorobandit]

Thanks so much. Should I bother cleaning the "hush puppy" looking grit crust on it? and how?
Thanks,
Bandido

 

[Breezie]

As far as cleaning is concerned, Buckleboy has the BEST methods. Here is his post:
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/89045-how-clean-buttons.html

Neat find Breezie