Shoe buckle, silver rosette, buttons - 1700s?

lenmac65

Silver Member
Jul 28, 2009
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Massachusetts
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Garrett AT Pro, Equinox 800 (as of 10/2019)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Hit two sites this past weekend, including a farm field and the woods. At the field, I found what I believe is a shoe buckle frame with some interesting zig-zagging pattern on it. Also found this ornate bridle rosette, which appears to be lead or pewter with silver plating. I have not seen one like it posted here, though I saw one just like it on a different metal detecting website, with the person claiming it was from around the time of the American Revolution. Not sure if he is right or not. If anyone has any insights about the buckle or the rosette, I would love to hear them. Also got this thimble, which I had hoped was silver, though I don't think it is. The butterfly is Sarah Coventry jewelry, which was made from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. The flat buttons are from the woods. The two shiny ones are about the best I have ever found, and have a nice shine. Not sure if they are tombac or if it is some sort of silver wash. Thanks for checking out my post and for any comments. Good luck out there and happy hunting
 

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Upvote 22
Nice! The button on the left looks like it had a brass rim. I have a couple like that. Likely nickel plated rather than silver plated. Button on right looks like a tombac. Always a nice find. The rosette may be colonial era or early 1800's. Looks to be pewter that was "silvered". Nice buckle frame. It looks pretty stout.
 

The buckle is 18th C & the Rosette is late 18th C early 19th C. Had a few plated pewter versions.
 

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Nice! The button on the left looks like it had a brass rim. I have a couple like that. Likely nickel plated rather than silver plated. Button on right looks like a tombac. Always a nice find. The rosette may be colonial era or early 1800's. Looks to be pewter that was "silvered". Nice buckle frame. It looks pretty stout.

Thanks for the info. Hadn't thought of possible use of nickel. Glad the rosette is possibly colonial/18th century, as I am hoping to find some coppers.
 

The buckle is 18th C & the Rosette is late 18th C early 19th C. Had a few plated pewter versions.

Thank you for your insights. I am glad for the confirmation on age, as I don't find a lot of 18th or early 19th century items other than buttons.
 

Great looking rosette. I hope you can get a more definitive age on it. I've found a gilded one with the dome in the middle like yours, but not as nice a design around the edges. Have always thought mine to be first half of 1800s but again I don't have a definitive date on it. Maybe RedCoat knows of some good publications for the ID of bridle rosettes (I'd love to add one to my library). His IDs are always spot on and backed up with literature. :icon_thumleft:
 

Double post...sorry... see below.:dontknow:
 

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Great looking rosette. I hope you can get a more definitive age on it. I've found a gilded one with the dome in the middle like yours, but not as nice a design around the edges. Have always thought mine to be first half of 1800s but again I don't have a definitive date on it. Maybe RedCoat knows of some good publications for the ID of bridle rosettes (I'd love to add one to my library). His IDs are always spot on and backed up with literature. :icon_thumleft:

Thanks, Erik. I was happy with the rosette, as most of the rosettes I have found have been plain brass, I believe, and were likely late 1800s or early 1900s. This one is definitely different, and actually looks better in real life versus photo. I hope Redcoat posts a response, as they are very detailed and informative. Hope the snow is gone where you are, and that you find something interesting to post.
 

Well done on the Rosette and buttons
Really nice array of finds, just missing a coin to round off the selection.
 

Great looking rosette. I hope you can get a more definitive age on it. I've found a gilded one with the dome in the middle like yours, but not as nice a design around the edges. Have always thought mine to be first half of 1800s but again I don't have a definitive date on it. Maybe RedCoat knows of some good publications for the ID of bridle rosettes (I'd love to add one to my library). His IDs are always spot on and backed up with literature. :icon_thumleft:

Thanks, Erik. I was happy with the rosette, as most of the rosettes I have found have been plain brass, I believe, and were likely late 1800s or early 1900s. This one is definitely different, and actually looks better in real life versus photo. I hope Redcoat posts a response, as they are very detailed and informative. Hope the snow is gone where you are, and that you find something interesting to post.

Well thanks guys. Erik alerted me to this thread, but I’m not much help “down on the farm” and horse rosettes aren’t really my thing.

As regards literature, the ‘Button Country’ website has a gallery of rosette types on their website (no dating information though) and provides the references below for people seeking more information:
https://www.buttoncountry.com/Z old site/Div4Ross1.html

(1) Bridle Rosettes by Joseph W. Anderson - Just Buttons, March 1953
(2) Bridle Buttons by Dorothy Foster Brown - Hobbies, August 1978
(3) Bridle Rosettes by Louann Chaudier - Western Horseman, August 1997
(4) Bridle Rosettes by Dr. Ralph Merkle - Spinning Wheel, Jan/Feb 1963
(5) Rosettes by Charles Nash - North/South Civil War Traders, Vol. XXVI (date unknown)
(6) Bridle Rosettes by Clara Nisbet - Spinning Wheel, May 1964
(7) Bridle Rosettes by Thelma Shull - Hobbies, April 1943
(8) Horse Bridle Rosettes by Paul S. Smith - Just Buttons, Feb 1958
(9) Bridle Rosettes by Ruth Ann White - Missouri State Button Society Bulletin, Winter/January 2009 (Volume 61 Number 1)
(10) National Button Society Blue Book, 2013 - 2017, Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines Current

The NBS “Blue Book” as reference #10 includes a section on bridle rosettes but I don’t have a copy so don’t really know how informative it might be. It’s available here for a mere $7.50
https://store4234047.ecwid.com/#!/Publications/c/8804209

I understand it’s also available as an eBook that makes it searchable but you may need to be a member to purchase it. Membership is $35 a year, which also gives you access to additional resources on their site and other benefits.
https://www.nationalbuttonsociety.org/index.html
 

Thank you so much Roger for the plethora of literature sources--as usual your research is greatly appreciated! :icon_thumright:

Well thanks guys. Erik alerted me to this thread, but I’m not much help “down on the farm” and horse rosettes aren’t really my thing.

As regards literature, the ‘Button Country’ website has a gallery of rosette types on their website (no dating information though) and provides the references below for people seeking more information:
https://www.buttoncountry.com/Z old site/Div4Ross1.html

(1) Bridle Rosettes by Joseph W. Anderson - Just Buttons, March 1953
(2) Bridle Buttons by Dorothy Foster Brown - Hobbies, August 1978
(3) Bridle Rosettes by Louann Chaudier - Western Horseman, August 1997
(4) Bridle Rosettes by Dr. Ralph Merkle - Spinning Wheel, Jan/Feb 1963
(5) Rosettes by Charles Nash - North/South Civil War Traders, Vol. XXVI (date unknown)
(6) Bridle Rosettes by Clara Nisbet - Spinning Wheel, May 1964
(7) Bridle Rosettes by Thelma Shull - Hobbies, April 1943
(8) Horse Bridle Rosettes by Paul S. Smith - Just Buttons, Feb 1958
(9) Bridle Rosettes by Ruth Ann White - Missouri State Button Society Bulletin, Winter/January 2009 (Volume 61 Number 1)
(10) National Button Society Blue Book, 2013 - 2017, Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines Current

The NBS “Blue Book” as reference #10 includes a section on bridle rosettes but I don’t have a copy so don’t really know how informative it might be. It’s available here for a mere $7.50
https://store4234047.ecwid.com/#!/Publications/c/8804209

I understand it’s also available as an eBook that makes it searchable but you may need to be a member to purchase it. Membership is $35 a year, which also gives you access to additional resources on their site and other benefits.
https://www.nationalbuttonsociety.org/index.html
 

Well thanks guys. Erik alerted me to this thread, but I’m not much help “down on the farm” and horse rosettes aren’t really my thing.

As regards literature, the ‘Button Country’ website has a gallery of rosette types on their website ....

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. Looks like you have provided a lot of useful information for my consideration. As always, I appreciate your invaluable insights and research.
 

Excellent finds and I am enjoying all of the responses to your I.D. questions...
 

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