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All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Cleaning and Repairing >> Civil war buttons

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Civil war buttons - 5/13/2009 11:10:24 PM    JGUIS   Posts: 1931 Joined: 3/18/2006 From: New Lexington, OH Status: offline I found one in the crawl of a cabin, but can't get it clean.  Should I make an electrolisis bucket?  Is there an easier way?  It's pretty solid, but I'm afraid of screwing it up, as it's my first good button.  Thanks for any help. _____________________________ Problems are not solved by the same level of thinking that created them. Post #: 1

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/13/2009 11:14:42 PM    GuntherHess Posts: 11470 Joined: 12/13/2004 From: Frederick Maryland Status: offline Never clean a civil war button by electrolysis unless you want to make it worthless. A little soap and water is best to use first. < Message edited by GuntherHess -- 5/13/2009 11:15:54 PM > _____________________________ FREE Online Medicine Guide - http://www.antiquemedicines.com/MedicineNexus/Nexus.htm Web Site - http://antiquemedicines.com Email : mknapp@antiquemedicines.com (in reply to JGUIS) Post #: 2

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/13/2009 11:59:53 PM    JGUIS   Posts: 1931 Joined: 3/18/2006 From: New Lexington, OH Status: offline I did that already, used a toothbrush.  There is however, either a patina, or mineral buildup to the point that all of the detail is muddied up.  I would just like to get it to the point that I can determine exactly which type button it is, or read the text on the back.  I'd post a pic, but the eagle is almost invisible. _____________________________ Problems are not solved by the same level of thinking that created them. (in reply to GuntherHess) Post #: 3

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 9:28:59 AM    cc6pack   Posts: 1161 Joined: 7/12/2003 From: Mableton, Ga. Status: offline Josh Post a clear close up of the front and back, and the diameter. If its a regular eagle button there's no real value there. Nice find but they're common as all get out. A lot of the buttons had gold gilt and the reaction between the ground, the brass, and gilt can be diffucult to clean. As gunther stated do not clean if you're sure what you're doing. I have an Alberts button book and can look up your button if you post a pic and description. (in reply to JGUIS) Post #: 4

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 9:55:45 AM    digger mcdirt   Posts: 1921 Joined: 8/8/2005 Status: offline As everyone says leave the Patina alone don't try to force it off you will ruin the value. You can soak it in a solution of about 50 % lemon juice and 50 % water and the crust on it will soften up. I do this on high end and low end buttons I dig. Just watch it and after it soaks for a few minutes take it out and brush it with a soft tooth brush. You can see if it needs to be put in and the steps repeated. Lemon juice will also bring out the gilt if it has any. There are a million different ways people swear by as for cleaning them ammonia is a good one for green patina but it is something you need to have experience with on soaking items or you will ruin them. I would use the lemon juice just watch it and don't leave it for long periods without taking it out and checking it. bob _____________________________ McDirt (in reply to cc6pack) Post #: 5

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 1:51:20 PM    RedGinger Posts: 6727 Joined: 12/7/2007 Status: offline What is the button made of?  Brass?  If I lived in the South, I'd know because I'd be out looking for artifacts like that all the time.  Did anyone see the treasure hunters show on the travel channel where she is looking for civil war artifacts?  What is the best way to use ammonia?  I have a few things I'd like to clean up and I have not tried ammonia yet.  Thanks. _____________________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVTdY2BI3g (in reply to digger mcdirt) Post #: 6

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 1:56:51 PM    GuntherHess Posts: 11470 Joined: 12/13/2004 From: Frederick Maryland Status: offline You can find civil war artifacts in the north too. Everyone was in on the fun You just dont have civil war battlefields up there. You have something even better , revolutionary relics. _____________________________ FREE Online Medicine Guide - http://www.antiquemedicines.com/MedicineNexus/Nexus.htm Web Site - http://antiquemedicines.com Email : mknapp@antiquemedicines.com (in reply to RedGinger) Post #: 7

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 2:11:07 PM    cc6pack   Posts: 1161 Joined: 7/12/2003 From: Mableton, Ga. Status: offline Red I can only speak for Civil War collectors, DO NOT CLEAN any object. This pertains mainly to non ferris metals, iron objects are the exception. Most people want the object in found condition, a little dirt and definitely  any patina will only help in the way of thinking.  Below are two belt plates that were just rinsed with water and lightly brushed off. Attachment (1) < Message edited by cc6pack -- 5/14/2009 2:12:41 PM > (in reply to RedGinger) Post #: 8

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 2:11:55 PM    cc6pack   Posts: 1161 Joined: 7/12/2003 From: Mableton, Ga. Status: offline . Attachment (1) (in reply to cc6pack) Post #: 9

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 2:13:45 PM    Staunton Dan Posts: 2251 Joined: 5/5/2005 From: Batesville, VA Status: offline I'd say that you have the North and the South pretty well represented there. Nice plates.  _____________________________ Just when you think that you have life figured out, someone changes the rules. (in reply to cc6pack) Post #: 10

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 3:20:23 PM    capsoda Posts: 9832 Joined: 11/15/2005 From: Seminole,Alabama, USA Status: offline Wow Dennis, that Confederate belt plat is a valuable piece of history. Most of the battel sites and camps down here have been picked over by the metal detector gang. There is a redout and encampment here that is untouched. The maps show it in the wrong place but the farmer who owns it is a crochity old turd and wont let me dig or metal detect. His son will when he dies, if I don't die first that is. < Message edited by capsoda -- 5/14/2009 3:21:12 PM > _____________________________ Warren Diggin down in Dixie, USA Work is for people who don't dig bottles President, Panhandle Cruisers http://www.panhandlecruisers.org/ http://www.bornagainamerican.org (in reply to Staunton Dan) Post #: 11

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 11:09:44 PM    JGUIS   Posts: 1931 Joined: 3/18/2006 From: New Lexington, OH Status: offline Those are some nice plates.  Here's some pics, they look like crap, but I've been trying for a half hour and need to sleep now.  Might try again with a tripod later.  Eagles head faces left, has shield on breast, but can't see what's inside it. Attachment (1) _____________________________ Problems are not solved by the same level of thinking that created them. (in reply to capsoda) Post #: 12

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 11:10:26 PM    JGUIS   Posts: 1931 Joined: 3/18/2006 From: New Lexington, OH Status: offline Another Attachment (1) _____________________________ Problems are not solved by the same level of thinking that created them. (in reply to JGUIS) Post #: 13

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/14/2009 11:12:49 PM    JGUIS   Posts: 1931 Joined: 3/18/2006 From: New Lexington, OH Status: offline Here's the back, like you can tell.  Button is exactly 2 CM wide Attachment (1) _____________________________ Problems are not solved by the same level of thinking that created them. (in reply to JGUIS) Post #: 14

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/15/2009 2:04:36 AM    Staunton Dan Posts: 2251 Joined: 5/5/2005 From: Batesville, VA Status: offline Looks to be a US eagle button with arrows in left talon. It has an olive branch in the right. Quite common and not worth spending too much time cleaning. The good thing is that you can't hurt the value much whether you clean it or not. As a rule you need to leave brass buttons uncleaned until you know what you have. Then afterwords, proper cleaning techniques should be observed if you still want to proceed, Still a nice find in that you don't find them every day. Here's one that I dug that isn't in real good shape but you get the idea of what it looks like. Attachment (1) _____________________________ Just when you think that you have life figured out, someone changes the rules. (in reply to JGUIS) Post #: 15

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/15/2009 11:57:49 AM    RedGinger Posts: 6727 Joined: 12/7/2007 Status: offline What do you mean about revolutionary relics, Gunth?  What would be considered one? _____________________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVTdY2BI3g (in reply to GuntherHess) Post #: 16

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/15/2009 12:06:55 PM    GuntherHess Posts: 11470 Joined: 12/13/2004 From: Frederick Maryland Status: offline http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album02/album21/album46/ _____________________________ FREE Online Medicine Guide - http://www.antiquemedicines.com/MedicineNexus/Nexus.htm Web Site - http://antiquemedicines.com Email : mknapp@antiquemedicines.com (in reply to RedGinger) Post #: 17

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/17/2009 10:28:00 AM    tigue710 Posts: 4140 Joined: 7/11/2007 From: connecticut - nor cal Status: offline Hey Matt, recently dug a button with an eagle encircled by stars, the majority of the dump was pre civil war...  does it ring a bell? _____________________________ •={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•= (in reply to GuntherHess) Post #: 18

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/17/2009 10:33:18 AM    GuntherHess Posts: 11470 Joined: 12/13/2004 From: Frederick Maryland Status: offline There were LOTS of eagle motif buttons both military and civilian. It could be a lot of things but if i had to guess I would say maybe a federal staff button. http://www.relicman.com/buttons/ButtonFedGov.htm post a photo < Message edited by GuntherHess -- 5/17/2009 10:34:27 AM > _____________________________ FREE Online Medicine Guide - http://www.antiquemedicines.com/MedicineNexus/Nexus.htm Web Site - http://antiquemedicines.com Email : mknapp@antiquemedicines.com (in reply to tigue710) Post #: 19

RE: Civil war buttons - 5/17/2009 1:06:26 PM    tigue710 Posts: 4140 Joined: 7/11/2007 From: connecticut - nor cal Status: offline its not one of theose shown...  I'll get a pic... _____________________________ •={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•={•}=•= (in reply to GuntherHess) Post #: 20

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