Reproduction Button?

[DJDigger]

Found this button where I know confederates camped at one time, but reenactors also camped at the same spot over the years. Just wanted to be sure this button was a reproduction. As you can see from the other pictures there is proof of the past on this hunting spot we have, but we've found other reproduction items that make us unsure what we have at first. Is that one of those teardrop pistol bullets I've heard about? We were pretty sure about the gun, though. Was it confederates or Union soldiers that used these with the orange tip?

 

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[Breezie]

Found this button where I know confederates camped at one time, but reenactors also camped at the same spot over the years. Just wanted to be sure this button was a reproduction. As you can see from the other pictures there is proof of the past on this hunting spot we have, but we've found other reproduction items that make us unsure what we have at first. Is that one of those teardrop pistol bullets I've heard about? We were pretty sure about the gun, though. Was it confederates or Union soldiers that used these with the orange tip?
View attachment 718983

The gun is a toy reproduction flintlock. Look on the plate under the hammer to see if you see the word PARRIS. Parris Manfacturing Co. makes present flintlocks. The blazing orange tips are now on all toy guns sold in the USA so thug John/Jane Doe will not go into your local convenient store and rob it with a toy. Even eBay has very strict rules about selling toy guns, and all of them must have an orange plug in the barrel, even the vintage and antique ones.

Welcome to the forum. Neat finds, Breezie

 

[DJDigger]

The gun is a toy reproduction flintlock. Look on the plate under the hammer to see if you see the word PARRIS. Parris Manfacturing Co. makes present flintlocks. The blazing orange tips are now on all toy guns sold in the USA so thug John/Jane Doe will not go into your local convenient store and rob it with a toy. Even eBay has very strict rules about selling toy guns, and all of them must have an orange plug in the barrel, even the vintage and antique ones.

Welcome to the forum. Neat finds, Breezie

Thanks, but I was just being lighthearted with the gun question (joking). I just put the picture of it to show that there are modern things at the site. Thanks for your reply, though. I just realized that no one could see me grinning when I was typing that, and it wasn't clear that I was just kidding. It's fine to assume I don't know that much about relics, though, because it's pretty much the truth. lol

 

[CRUSADER]

The button looks repro to me, but better pictures would help.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Based on what can be seen in the photo, your Cast-I button is definitely a Reproduction. The genuine ones always had the short board-shaped shank emerging from the top of a circular pedestal. But on your button, there is no circular pedestal. To understand exactly what I mean by the descriptive term "circular pedestal", here are two photos showing a genuine civil war Cast-I button's back. Compare them with your button's back.

That being said... if I'm incorrect about your button's back not having the circular pedestal under the shank, please make and post some additional photos of your button's back.

 

[Breezie]

Thanks, but I was just being lighthearted with the gun question (joking). I just put the picture of it to show that there are modern things at the site. Thanks for your reply, though. I just realized that no one could see me grinning when I was typing that, and it wasn't clear that I was just kidding. It's fine to assume I don't know that much about relics, though, because it's pretty much the truth. lol

Well, I didn't want to embarrass you if it were being serious, so I didn't go that route. I wanted to say, are you kidding me?

 

[DJDigger]

Based on what can be seen in the photo, your Cast-I button is definitely a Reproduction. The genuine ones always had the short board-shaped shank emerging from the top of a circular pedestal. But on your button, there is no circular pedestal. To understand exactly what I mean by the descriptive term "circular pedestal", here are two photos showing a genuine civil war Cast-I button's back. Compare them with your button's back.

That being said... if I'm incorrect about your button's back not having the circular pedestal under the shank, please make and post some additional photos of your button's back.

Thanks CBG ... Here's another pic showing there is a round pedestal. However all the other pictures I've seen show a more rounded shank and this one has very defined corner. Plus, it's quite shiney with a bit of soap and water. Hardly any patina.

 

[DJDigger]

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Thank you for making and posting the additional photos of the button. As you see from comparison with a genuine Cast-I button, the shank's sharp corners and the "unfinished" thread-hole (and "shiny" lack of patina after simple washing) mean your button is a Reproduction ..as you suspected.

 

[DJDigger]

Thank you for making and posting the additional photos of the button. As you see from comparison with a genuine Cast-I button, the shank's sharp corners and the "unfinished" thread-hole (and "shiny" lack of patina after simple washing) mean your button is a Reproduction ..as you suspected.

Thanks so much for the info. That makes the 3rd or 4th button we've dug that was a reproduction. Heading back today to find a real one though.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

About the bullet:
Although it does somewhat resemble a civil war "teardrop" pistol-bullet, that kind always had a "pointy" tip. (See photo, below.) Yours is quite rounded.

Also, there appears to be a crimping-groove encircling your bullet's main body, made by the lip of a metallic cartridge ...which none of the teardop bullets had.

I cannot find a match for your bullet in any of my research library's books showing civil war bullets.

We'll need you to borrow some Digital Calipers and give us precise measurements (in hundredths-of-an-inch) of your bullet's diameter and length.

Also, please make and post some additional photos of it, showing it from different angles. I'm wondering if it is actualy a fired bullet, whose original shape got at least "somewhat" distorted by impact.

 

[CRUSADER]

I thought 'fired' as well, but I'm not a bullet guy.

 

[DJDigger]

About the bullet:
Although it does somewhat resemble a civil war "teardrop" pistol-bullet, that kind always had a "pointy" tip. (See photo, below.) Yours is quite rounded.

Also, there appears to be a crimping-groove encircling your bullet's main body, made by the lip of a metallic cartridge ...which none of the teardop bullets had.

I cannot find a match for your bullet in any of my research library's books showing civil war bullets.

We'll need you to borrow some Digital Calipers and give us precise measurements (in hundredths-of-an-inch) of your bullet's diameter and length.

Also, please make and post some additional photos of it, showing it from different angles. I'm wondering if it is actualy a fired bullet, whose original shape got at least "somewhat" distorted by impact.

We thought about the possibility of it being shot or maybe carved on a little. Here's some more pictures.

 

[BosnMate]

The additional pictures the bullet kinda looks carved, and that heavy white patina makes me think original. I takes some time for lead to oxidize that much.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Your final photo showing the bullet in the palm of your hand shows me just enough of its bottom to enable me to confirm that it is a fired "teardrop" St. Louis Arsenal (yankee) civil war bullet for .36-caliber revolver. All of those bullets had a small circular "pedestal" which is a bit smaller in diameter than the bullet's main base. (You can see the edge of the little "pedestal" under the bullet's main base in the sideview photo I posted previously in this discussion-thread.) If I am correct about your bullet's ID, its bottom looks like what's in this photo (minus the writing, of course).

 

[DJDigger]

Your final photo showing the bullet in the palm of your hand shows me just enough of its bottom to enable me to confirm that it is a fired "teardrop" St. Louis Arsenal (yankee) civil war bullet for .36-caliber revolver. All of those bullets had a small circular "pedestal" which is a bit smaller in diameter than the bullet's main base. (You can see the edge of the little "pedestal" under the bullet's main base in the sideview photo I posted previously in this discussion-thread.) If I am correct about your bullet's ID, its bottom looks like what's in this photo (minus the writing, of course).

I think your right. Thanks again!