interesting military? buttons from colonial site - any ideas?

[Barry NY]

farm site has been settled since 1700's.
anyone have any thoughts?
2 different good buttons today for 4 hours work plus some colonial flats and 2 Injuns one was an 1873 and the other a no date...
buttons have only been rinsed with warm water - no other cleaning.
thanks for any assistance.
Barry

 

[GRAY GHOST]

Nice finds, barry. The english made wise, bielby and hyde naval buttons date from the early to mid 1820's. Their partnership started around 1818 in birmingham, england, with the partnership dissolving about 1825. Hit that area again!

 

[Barry NY]

Thanks and you are right on the money...

According to William Leigh of www.civilwarbuttons.com:

"Hello, eagle on verticle anchor is US Navy, the eagle on slanted anchor is US Marine. Both date to the 1820's.
Congratulations on the nice finds,
William"

 

[GRAY GHOST]

Oh shoot, i meant to point out the other button was an early marine corps button! Oops. But hey, barry, great finds! Thanks for showing, and good luck.

 

[usmc0351]

gray ghost you are right on the money and an excellent post. theres a few button books out that fail to mention british makers of eary american military buttons.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

A couple of years ago, i bought Mcguinn & Bazelon's indispensable "American military button makers and dealers; their backmarks and dates" book for 22 bucks. It's paid for itself many times over, and does contain many british makers. I'm always glad to try to help fellow hobbyists.

By the way, sir, Semper Fi, and thanks.

 

[capt. jas.]

Is there a book in print or website with specific button information or is this just a learn as you study process?

 

[ronaldj2]

Barry, Much appreciated post. The concept of having fellow detectorists help out financially for a good cause in preservation is great. I really like the fact that it is rewarding not only in being able to keep the finds, but seeing something historical being preserved and restored in the process.

 

[Barry NY]

Thanks ronaldj2 - we had our first weekend event this past weekend.
All 15 attendees came away with some good stuff - check out the E-Trac forum for some of the posts already.
We will also be posting finds on our website.
We continue the hunts until the weather shuts us down.

 

[OldMarylandDigger]

Very nice finds.

 

[Barry NY]

Thanks Maryland - I haven't even thought about cleaning them - they are photographed just washed in water - that's it.
All that light brown is dirt still in the grooves.

 

[CSA GHOST]

capt. jas., Several books are in print relating to military buttons. To start with, I recommend this as a first (and they are not expensive) Mcguinn & Bazelon: "American military button makers and dealers; their backmarks and dates" This book has been updated several times and concerns the age of buttons based on their back mark (if present). Others would be: Tice: Dating button's and his companion Military button book. A. Albert's: One of the most popular. Lastly, books/pamplet's by Dan Binder. I can send you a listing if you need it. Just drop me a PM.
Good hunting,
David