Tortoise Shell Button?

[OxShoeDrew]

I walked out to that hole near the end of my driveway and I continued finding stuff. I found three more buttons on the lip today in addition to the two buttons and KG2 I found yesterday. The site is really old and this button was a foot deep which leads me to believe it's colonial but the front looks almost like the design was stamped into the thin metal. Did they use thin pressed metal in the 18th century? Thanks for any info!

 

[The Rebel]

That's pretty cool Drew! As it's a 2pc I'd assume it was mid 1800's but I look forward to see what others have to say.

 

[del]

Drew its either a wood backed or bone backed button and could be as old as Revolutionary war or older , these are rarely found and especially in the kind of condition yours is in . great find !

 

[fyrffytr1]

Neat button. How would that have been attached? I don't see how it could have been sewn on.

 

[OxShoeDrew]

Thanks guys! I was wondering how to get the thread in there too. Maybe they took the metal top off.

 

[del]

Thanks guys! I was wondering how to get the thread in there too. Maybe they took the metal top off.

The holes should align up pretty easy to thread a needle through them or a special curved needle would do the job , the front of the button was crimped onto the bone and wasn't suppose to be removed once fastened.

 

[OxShoeDrew]

Oh, they attached the button, then put the crimped metal on!
I wasn't aware they had such ornate crimped metal in those days! THANKS, DAN!

 

[del]

sorry

Oh, they attached the button, then put the crimped metal on!
I wasn't aware they had such ornate crimped metal in those days! THANKS, DAN!

Sorry Drew , the button was made as a one piece and it was sewn on the garment after