Button, Button, Who's Got The Button

[Steve Valentine]

I really don't collect these, but I saw the first tray on EBay and got them for like $7 and they are all from a Plantation site in Florida and are all either Shell, Wood, or Glass. No Plastic.

The second tray I got from the local Flea Market for $5. They were in a jar and the guy was asking $8 and I offered $5 and he took it. There are a few plastic in there, but very few few. Most of them are either Shell or Glass and a few are Wood. I just thought they were cool and they look really nice in the trays.

These pics are all of the first tray.

[Steve Valentine]

These are all of the second tray I got from the Flea Market.

[Gibby]

Wow, those are cool man. I have a few I have found in one field. But nothing like those. That is an instant collection there.

[DesertWalker]

Cool, I like buttons. Have found many over the years while out metal detecting and stuff. The shell ones usually fall apart after being in the elements. I favor the bone and fancy glass ones. Oh, and I have a grundle of metal military buttons I have found, from the early 1800s to present.

[mootsman]

Steve, that is one great haul -- instant collection! I see some good stuff there. Some calicos, some nice bone and shell, etc. The two brass 4-hole buttons may be pants buttons from a Civil War or Indian War US uniform. If you get a chance post or PM me the marking on them.

My wife and I love buttons and have detected for decades. Here's some of our better finds for those that like buttons -- mostly military.

1793-1797 US Pewter Buttons



War of 1812 -- as it came out of the ground



Unlisted George Washington Inaugural Button




The reason I have a bad back!


Early US Navy


Confederate Infantry



Rare Southern State and Confederate Buttons (Eagle R is US but out of CSA camp)



A uniform jacket and a kepi CSA buttons



I could go on and on but would likely make your eyes roll back.

[DesertWalker]

Very nice, Moots!

[mootsman]

Originally Posted by DesertWalker

Very nice, Moots!

Thanks. We worked hard for those and others. Lot of paper research and miles of walking with a lot of gear. Just about every thing is hunted out now which is why we focus on Indian relics. Fields and streams renew themselves with artifacts. About the best source for good button finds now days is the way Steve did it -- flea markets. There is still killer stuff in those grubby markets and yard sales.

[DesertWalker]

Most of the markets are rolling on the weekends here. I would rather go out metal detecting or artifact hunting then, even though the gas prices are carazy!

[arrow719]

Cool buttons Steve. I come across a few of them while hunting, but not many fancy ones. I have always wondered about this one. It was found on the ranch I found a bunch of Shoshone Knives and late arrow points. It was right up in the debitage of the campsite. There was no other old white people trash there whatsoever. The campsite could possibly be as young as the contact period. So I have always wondered if this could of been traded to the Indians like a trade bead would of been. Almost all of the old buttons I come across are made from shell or metal. This is the only green glass one I've come across. I'll probably never know for sure.

Do any of you guys know enough about buttons to put an approximate age on this one?

[DesertWalker]

Wow, a glass button with a pontil! Maybe Mike(highsierra) can help..