Trade Brooch need help

[The Patriot]

So before I go and post this in the today's finds, I need some help... I found this today where the early french and natives travelled by for many years.... It looked familiar and had thoughts what it may be and then romeo and Iron Patch stated it was a native trade silver brooch... then IP thought from picture thought it may be cast (tombac) material looking at pics... I thought maybe it was just tarnished being found on the clay beach area... Has anyone heard of these being made out of tombac, for reasons such as being cheaper to produce and trade? A quick way to tell the difference between silver and tombac?? Any help would be much appreciated thanks...Can't seem to take better pics with my cheap phone...in person it looks more silver...

 

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[ironhorse]

It's got the classic trade brooch shape to it...and look too
They refer to that shape as an owl shape, I think it's a variation of a luckenbooth brooch
pretty cool find trade era or not
It looks like silver to me in your pix
Hope it the real deal!

 

[romeo-1]

Looks good here...whats your detector say?

 

[The Patriot]

Very good call romeo....Just got back from testing it... When it's close to the coil (like an inch away) when I found it...sounds like silver but any further and it sounds like tombac....so not any further ahead...I've had small silver rings do the same thing....

 

[The Patriot]

Took more pics with wife's IPhone... and washed it with mild soap and fine brush...

 

[The Patriot]

Thanks IH...really hoping it's the real deal silver or not...shhhhh but hoping silver lol..

 

[BigBoom]

Nice find, bring it to a pawn shop for a quick acid test. Hoping it's silver

 

[romeo-1]

You could try the bleach test. Drop a drop of bleach on an inconspicuous spot and if it turns black then it's silver...

 

[GuyToken]

Nice find, found one as your silver but of less good quality.
Beautiful job.
For some week I find relic of trade of fur.
The season is good, there is no foliage and grass in forest.
The detection is easier.
Found brooch, finery and trade thimbles.
GuyToken

 

[The Patriot]

Had it tested today and 100% silver!...thanks all...

 

[ironhorse]

My opinion...it's the real deal!

That's one to be proud of!

 

[Ia.FurTrade]

Very nice find, Patriot! They are hard to find complete.

Iowa Dale

 

[bill_wabo]

One was found on the Elisabeth and Mary wreck, from the William Phipps fleat. Wrecked in 1690 near Baie-Trinité and found in 1994 by a diver. I can give you the link, culture related gouv. web site. At this period, they were given to women, who wear them as a love brooch.

 

[The Patriot]

I agree, with the research I have been doing...most are missing the prong ...

Very nice find, Patriot! They are hard to find complete.

Iowa Dale

 

[ColonialDude]

Late to the party but was definitely going to suggest it's silver. Trade silver often rings up low. It's a great find. I do know some are made out of alternate materials as I have the top half of one that I believe is pewter.

I've attached a pic of one I found. It dates to 1760. I suspect it was worn my a British officer based on the quality and location found. I believe the ones that are a little less aesthetically pleasing and of lower grade silver. Sorry the pic isn't great.