Revolutionary button ID

[Wraith24]

I have a good idea what this button is supposed to be but do you think it original or reproduction?

 

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[Hobcawhunter]

Now that I can see the back good I would say 100% authentic, wonder what the value could be?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

It looks like a Royal Provincials (Colonists loyal to the crown) button. MANY copies over the years.

Here is a reproduction . . .

Royal Provincials "RP" Pewter Button, 7/8" [#GPB12]

And some other info . . .

[/URL]http://www.blogstaugustinelighthouse.org/blog/lamposts/button_may_prove_to_be_importa.php

 

[fyrffytr1]

That is a strange backmark. Either way you turn the button the last letter is backwards. I can't find any backmark pictures for repro buttons and I haven't yet searched for the backmark on your button. Can you tell me what the letters are?

 

[Iron Patch]

Most definitely a reproduction.

 

[Wraith24]

The back mark leads me to believe reproduction but I wanted everyone's opinion first. The letters on the back look to be: A H then maybe a 3 or 8 and backwards B. Above that it looks like W a backwards J and another letter that I can't make out.

 

[smokeythecat]

The button design is way "off" that of an original. Most but not all the Loyalist buttons were made in England with the lump of pewter type "boss" back. A mound of pewter with an iron loop coming out of it, but it's not impossible some were made here in the American manufacturing style, which is the back you have here. That someone "signed" it is problematic however. The two vent holes in the back are not seen on any originals. Due to the signage on the back I'd guess an early reproduction.

 

[Wraith24]

Yea unfortunately I had that feeling but it sure was pretty coming out of the hole though..

 

[DCMatt]

Yea unfortunately I had that feeling but it sure was pretty coming out of the hole though..

As a Civil War reenactor, I can tell you I've lost a number of buttons and bits over the years - including an Enfield bayonet in the woods at the 150th Battle of the Wilderness. I'm sure some unsuspecting relic hunter will be very pleased with them someday.

 

[Itsmine]

I don't know if this one is authentic, but they are asking a fortune for it on ebay... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Revolutionary-War-Loyalist-Button-Royal-Provincial-RP-/232768123986

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Asking is not receiving.

See what it pulls in if it goes to auction.

 

[Hobcawhunter]

I guess I was wrong, I wouldnt have though that a reproduction would have back marks like that

 

[smokeythecat]

Itsmine, that IS a fortune. I got one better for about $200 about a year ago.

 

[Wraith24]

I had an engineer at my job test the button with a XRF Analyzer Spectrometer (basically shoot it with xrays to see what the metal makeup is). It is pewter but its like 51% lead and 48% Tin. So if it is a reproduction as you say, then it is a very old reproduction.

 

[Rookster]

Sorry, maybe on the next plug.

 

[DCMatt]

I had an engineer at my job test the button with a XRF Analyzer Spectrometer (basically shoot it with xrays to see what the metal makeup is). It is pewter but its like 51% lead and 48% Tin. So if it is a reproduction as you say, then it is a very old reproduction.

Maybe from the bicentennial celebrations in the 1970's? I was in high school then and not much interested in such things but I've read that back then, people went the distance to make replica items that were as close as possible to the originals. I still think repro...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I had an engineer at my job test the button with a XRF Analyzer Spectrometer (basically shoot it with xrays to see what the metal makeup is). It is pewter but its like 51% lead and 48% Tin. So if it is a reproduction as you say, then it is a very old reproduction.

Or cast using 50/50 solder.

https://www.slateroofwarehouse.com/bar-solder-1-lb-bars-50-50-tin-lead.html

 

[CRUSADER]

repro

 

[A2coins]

thats cool either way

 

[DownNDirty]

The pewter RP buttons didn't have back marks-that's a definite tell that it's a repro.