Need help with Button and Buckle ages!

[testing123]

Went to a cellar hole this weekend and found two buttons, three buckles, and a 1892-O Barber dime. I'm not sure on the age of the buttons and buckles. Any ideas?

The 1st button has a plain front but the back has a nice decoration and reads "TREBLE GILT."

The second button has a nice decorative front, and the back reads "ORANGE COLOUR." I'm afraid to clean it too much, as it's flaking a bit... Do you think a quick hit with soap, water and a toothbrush would be beneficial or hurt it?

The three buckles are in the 1st image.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

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[Silver Searcher]

The Buckles are single loop D buckles, and date late 19th c-20th c

SS

 

[vayank54]

The flat button date about 1810 to 20. The button with the flower design dates in the 1820's or so and is called a golden age button. The button itself is not chipping. What is coming off is just crud that built up over the years. Once it dries you can flake it off with your finger nail. I would soak it in a 50/50 mix of lemon juice and water. Just keep an eye on it and don't leave it in to long.

 

[BioProfessor]

Careful with the lemon juice. it will strip down to bear metal. I stopped using it as it was too tough on the patina. Even mixed with olive oil it is too tough for me to start with.

Daryl

 

[vayank54]

That's it you have to be careful, but I've never had any trouble with a 50/50 mix. Full strength will take it to the metal if you leave it to long though.

 

[BioProfessor]

Have you had any trouble with the patina fading using lemon juice? I have lost the patina on some nice green copper that way.

Daryl

 

[Iron Patch]

Have you had any trouble with the patina fading using lemon juice? I have lost the patina on some nice green copper that way.

Daryl

Of course that would be the result because you're not suppose to use it on those. That's a job for the HP.

 

[BioProfessor]

Sometimes you gotta try what you got. Can't buy HP in the Netherlands.

Daryl

 

[Iron Patch]

Sometimes you gotta try what you got. Can't buy HP in the Netherlands.

Daryl

You're pretty much going to lose green patina every time with lemon juice, or leave the item spotted at best.

Here's one that did survive a quick soak. I started using the HP and seen it wasn't going to be beautiful, so through it in the lemon and after a very brief soak noticed the color was actually hanging on pretty good... so out it went, and back into the HP. I have a very nice example of the same button so wasn't really too concerned with it, and was actually more of a test piece because my bud had the same one (but better) that I was going to clean as well. His was just an HP soak, light brushing, and popped out to dry. (no water) Both actually turned out as good as they could be so I was happy with the results.

 

[BioProfessor]

I've had a little better results adding a bit of lemon juice to olive oil. Olive oil is slightly acidic and a little boost will help and the olive oil seems to offer a bit of protection. Something else I've used is Birchwood Casey Blue and rust remover. It is a phosphoric acid solution (like Naval Jelly but not near as strong) and is not too good to soak stuff in but it is a good thing to put on with a Q-tip, scrub a bit with a toothpick and rinse off. When you put it on, the blue/green oxide starts to bubble. It may take a bunch of times applying and rinsing but it does a good job on the oxide and if the oxide has not eaten into the object, it comes out good.

Here is a small crotal bell I'm working on with the Birchwood Casey stuff. So far so good.

Daryl

 

[Iron Patch]

I've had a little better results adding a bit of lemon juice to olive oil. Olive oil is slightly acidic and a little boost will help and the olive oil seems to offer a bit of protection. Something else I've used is Birchwood Casey Blue and rust remover. It is a phosphoric acid solution (like Naval Jelly but not near as strong) and is not too good to soak stuff in but it is a good thing to put on with a Q-tip, scrub a bit with a toothpick and rinse off. When you put it on, the blue/green oxide starts to bubble. It may take a bunch of times applying and rinsing but it does a good job on the oxide and if the oxide has not eaten into the object, it comes out good.

Here is a small crotal bell I'm working on with the Birchwood Casey stuff. So far so good.

Daryl

Both eat away the green so I can't imagine too many good results with a lemon/oil mixture.

 

[BioProfessor]

I just don't like the green crud. I love the green patina. I take off the crud and leave the patina. Good enough for me.

Daryl

 

[Silver Searcher]

I just don't like the green crud. I love the green patina. I take off the crud and leave the patina. Good enough for me.

Daryl

Daryl....have you heard or tried Genolite you have to be carefull with it :P but it gets rid of the Crud with ease, best applied with cotton bud and even better on Silver coins

SS

 

[BioProfessor]

Never heard of it. Where do you get it?

Daryl

 

[Silver Searcher]

Never heard of it. Where do you get it?

Daryl

It's a rust eater for cars, but you can dilute it....ebay sells it

SS

 

[testing123]

Thanks for all of your help guys!

Has anyone ever tried VERDI-GONE? It's available on Wayne Herndon's website here: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/products/verdigone.html

Looks like it might be beneficial on light verdigris, but not sure how dug coins/items would react.

 

[woody50]

Have you had any trouble with the patina fading using lemon juice? I have lost the patina on some nice green copper that way.
Daryl

Of course that would be the result because you're not suppose to use it on those. That's a job for the HP.

Hey Iron Patch, what is HP

 

[Iron Patch]

Have you had any trouble with the patina fading using lemon juice? I have lost the patina on some nice green copper that way.
Daryl

Of course that would be the result because you're not suppose to use it on those. That's a job for the HP.

Hey Iron Patch, what is HP

Hydrogen peroxide.

 

[woody50]

Have you had any trouble with the patina fading using lemon juice? I have lost the patina on some nice green copper that way.
Daryl

Of course that would be the result because you're not suppose to use it on those. That's a job for the HP.

Hey Iron Patch, what is HP

Hydrogen peroxide.

Sh_t, should have known.... Thanks

 

[Iron Patch]

Have you had any trouble with the patina fading using lemon juice? I have lost the patina on some nice green copper that way.
Daryl

Of course that would be the result because you're not suppose to use it on those. That's a job for the HP.

Hey Iron Patch, what is HP

Hydrogen peroxide.

Sh_t, should have known.... Thanks

Yeah you'll see it come up quite a bit for cleaning coppers.