Need help with Eagle I button ID and cleaning tips

[pax_in_ma]

Found this Eagle I button in a Massachusetts cornfield. First military button for me. Looked at a bunch of websites but does not seem to find that exact one. The tip of the wings go slightly higher than the head. The backmark says:
Scovills & Co . Waterbury.
I only toothpicked it. Any recommendation for additional cleaning?

Thanks.

 

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[pax_in_ma]

Forgot to mention diameter is 19.5mm.

 

[vpnavy]

Until someone pipes in - I searched

and found...

​

 

[pax_in_ma]

Thanks VPNAVY. Mine has a slightly different backmark SCOVILLS & Co vs. SCOVILL MF'G CO on you chart. I believe my button is from the 1840s to 1850s but would welcome the experts' input.
Harry Ridgeway has a good collection of Infantry buttons on his website Ridgeway Civil War Archive Buttons from Federal Infantry 2 piece buttons, page two
Button #B1992 seems to be the closest to mine but the wings on mine seem to be a bit longer and a bit more upright.

 

[alabama11]

Great find. Great work VPNAVY.

 

[Tnmountains]

To clean use Loctite Aluminum Jelly cleaner and brightner. Go slow with a q-tip it does a wonderful job on buttons. We have a cleaning and preservation section here that shows some results.If there is any gilt left it will slowly reveal itself.

 

[pax_in_ma]

To clean use Loctite Aluminum Jelly cleaner and brightner. Go slow with a q-tip it does a wonderful job on buttons. We have a cleaning and preservation section here that shows some results.If there is any gilt left it will slowly reveal itself.

Thanks Tnmountains! Followed your instructions. The button cleaned really well but looked very dry/dull after the jelly so I applied a bit of museum wax. After polishing the button, the details came out nicely. Not gilt left on this one though.

 

[Tnmountains]

Thanks Tnmountains! Followed your instructions. The button cleaned really well but looked very dry/dull after the jelly so I applied a bit of museum wax. After polishing the button, the details came out nicely. Not gilt left on this one though.

If there is any gilt that stuff will pull it out. But sometimes it is long gone. Still a nice historical save!

 

[smokeythecat]

I am probably a little rough with mine. Soft brass brush with dish detergent. Let totally dry and then spray on a very thin coat of polyurethane if the buttons looks too flaky.

 

[fyrffytr1]

You are right about the age of your button. In 1854 The I was dropped from the shield on all enlisted men's buttons. However they were still used until the supply ran out. They are often found at Civil War sites.