**** Older US Eagle Button - need the experts ****

[Bruce Ct]

I dug this button at a colonial location in southern Ct. It's a domed, one piece button.
I can see an older type eagle under the surface scaling. I haven't decifered all the markings on the back yet but I can make out "triple gilt". (pictured next to a dime)
Questions for the experts:
1) Can you identify it re vintage, type, model etc?
2) Will removing the scaling destroy the eagle features?
3) If it's OK, what is the best way to remove the scaling?

Thanks, Bruce Ct

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

It's risky to try to date a button when so very little of the emblem on it can be seen through heavy encrustation. So, this is only a preliminary guess.

A US-dug 1-piece brass button showing a droop-winged eagle whose head looks toward the button's left, and having a raised-lettering backmark, dates from approximately 1813 through the very-early-1830s.

Your button could be either a US Navy button or a State Militia button.

For cleaning brass buttons, I've always used household ammonia diluted 50/50 with water, for a very short (3-minutes) soak, followed immediately by gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush dipped in ammonia, then a very throrough rinse-off. If needed, I give the button a second soak, for 2-minutes.

But some people prefer lemon-juice, and some prefer warm peroxide. I'm sure other posters here will give you their advice about what each of them feels is the best method. But rules we all agree on are to not use too strong a cleaning-agent, and to not let the button soak too long, and NEVER use a wirebrush.

 

[Bruce Ct]

Thanks for the reply. (RE Navy - I did find a very small fouled anchor flat button a short distance away last spring.)
I tried a very quick soak in warm peroxide but it didn't seem to budge the scaling. I figured I'd hold off on any more cleaning til I heard from more experienced people. I'm open to suggestions.

 

[tennessee digger]

Bruce..... if you want to know how to clean it go to the Cleaning & Preservation forum here on Treasure Net and read Buckle Boys post on how to clean buttons. It is the best you will ever see and is well written and easy to understand. Tennessee digger

 

[Bruce Ct]

Thanks for the tip re Buckleboy. I remember seeing that post quite a while ago and I'd forgotten about it.
Bruce

 

[spudnutt]

The one piece eagle buttons such as that with Triple Guilt on the back usually date to about the 1840's Mexican War period.