What would this be?

[diverdude]

I found this while diving in the St Lawrence River area (NY) and a large Cent piece dated 1810. I placed a current quarter to help with size. The rifles look to be flintlock of type crossed. A #4 on the top (it looks as though it is missing another number) and the letter C below. On the back are 2 lines one to the #4 and one to the C and then one to a missing # or letter. I thought perhaps a hat pin or lapel piece? Though I see no place missing to pin. It is brass I believe and has not been cleaned. Should I clean it and if so with what, or leave be? Thanks I am new to computers/forums and hope to learn and share much here. It is pictured front and back here. Bob

 

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[PBK]

U.S. Army infantry insignia, ?4th Regiment, Company C.

It probably dates pre-1903, when the crossed muskets were replaced by Springfield rifles. However, muskets were reinstated on the insignia in 1924.

 

[Montana Jim]

U.S. Army ?4th Infantry, Company "C"

Crossed rifles (muskets) = Infantry

Yours is a hat pin, circa late 1800s. Post Civil War (Indian Wars era).

UPDATE: Damnit PBK... you're too fast! LMAO...

Well I agree with PBK.

 

[diverdude]

Thank you so much!

 

[Montana Jim]

Welcome to Treasure Net!

Keep on posting...

 

[flyinguy]

that would be a very nice find!

 

[Montana Jim]

They also seem to possibly have a "gritty" patina that is consistent with being submerged in land or water.

In land or water... as oppossed to...

mustard?

 

[BuckleBoy]

Well...these Would Be cats.





(If they had tails and whiskers, were made out of flesh and bone, meowed, and walked around on all fours)

 

[Functional]

Thank you so much!

Just a guess, but based on the location of the number "4", I would think there was another number in front of that?

There are some similarly styled badges about 2/3rd's the way down this page:
http://www.caldwellandcompany.net/MoreStuff.html


F.