Another relic

[deb]

Dug up another relic today. Not quite sure what it is yet. Has that brassy colour to the edges. Any ideas before I try to clean ? It's weighty and about the size of a 50c or a tad bigger.

 

[deb]

Slowly getting there. Having trouble cleaning out the middle. Still no idea what it is? Thinking a button of some sorts. Anyone uave ideas how to soften or dissolve the stuff in middle? It's almost like concrete? Solid metal underneath
Thanks

 

[mbasko]

Slowly getting there. Having trouble cleaning out the middle. Still no idea what it is? Thinking a button of some sorts

Looking like a button.

 

[grubstake]

Slowly getting there. Having trouble cleaning out the middle. Still no idea what it is? Thinking a button of some sorts. Anyone uave ideas how to soften or dissolve the stuff in middle? It's almost like concrete? Solid metal underneath

If you've got any of the anti-scalant cleaner CLR, try giving it an overnight soaking in that and see if it softens whatever that crud is.

 

[deb]

If you've got any of the anti-scalant cleaner CLR, try giving it an overnight soaking in that and see if it softens whatever that crud is.

Thankyou grubstake. I haven't got any but will buy some tomorrow x

 

[grubstake]

I find it a surprisingly effective cleaner for all sorts of muck and stains, plus it isn't strongly acidic or caustic and doesn't smell nasty. Worth a try I think. I get it from Bunnings.

 

[deb]

I find it a surprisingly effective cleaner for all sorts of muck and stains, plus it isn't strongly acidic or caustic and doesn't smell nasty. Worth a try I think. I get it from Bunnings.

Hi grubstake. I noticed the clr you mentioned says not to use on brass? This button is definitely brass. Should I still use it?

 

[grubstake]

Hi grubstake. I noticed the clr you mentioned says not to use on brass? This button is definitely brass. Should I still use it?

I guess not. Sorry, I didn't realise it had so many restrictions in the fine print. It worked great on my blocked showerhead.

 

[silver]

If you want to chance it you can try salt and vinegar for a quick soak, just rinse well afterwards, you can give it a bathe afterwards with bicarb and water to nutrilise the vinegar so it won't continue to have any effect.
Entirely up to you what you want to do.
I always think if I try something that I can nutrilise afterwards then at least I still feel i have a degree of control at my disposal.

 

[deb]

If you want to chance it you can try salt and vinegar for a quick soak, just rinse well afterwards, you can give it a bathe afterwards with bicarb and water to nutrilise the vinegar so it won't continue to have any effect.
Entirely up to you what you want to do.
I always think if I try something that I can nutrilise afterwards then at least I still feel i have a degree of control at my disposal.

Thanks silver. I tell ya this stuff is solid. I got a tiny tiny chisel and tapped around and it still won't budge. Will try soaking again tonight. The top is easier to clean. I really want to find out what era etc this button (I think) is from. But then it's heavy I thought for a jacket.

 

[deb]

Thankyou Silver on the tip with salt and vinegar. It gor all the gunk feom the top and I reckon turned out amazing feom what it was. Still trying to remove the backside stuff.

 

[silver]

I'm glad that worked, it came up really nice.
Maybe it is a resin that was inside and gave the button extra weight, as well as helping hold the back on, and would stop the front from denting too.

 

[deb]

So unfortunatley a chunk came out the back when cleaning. There is a solid silver metal underneath. Seems a bit big and heavy for a button? Any ideas anyone?

 

[silver]

Only thing that comes to mind that size is a fob watch.

 

[Nightjar]

Maybe a paper weight?

 

[deb]

Only thing that comes to mind that size is a fob watch.

There's two flat parts either side also it wasn't oxidised like brass or copper normally is

 

[grubstake]

So unfortunatley a chunk came out the back when cleaning. There is a solid silver metal underneath. Seems a bit big and heavy for a button? Any ideas anyone?

That silver part looks like solder. Could the object be the weight from a pendulum clock?

 

[deb]

That silver part looks like solder. Could the object be the weight from a pendulum clock?

Would a pendulum have a flat piece either side? Would be a small clock. And was in the middle of the gold diggings

 

[The Green Wanderer]

Would a pendulum have a flat piece either side? Would be a small clock. And was in the middle of the gold diggings

Just my 2c but it could be a pocket watch or possibly a ladies brooch?
Not sure if it's worth the effort but the flat spots on the edges look like they are holding the centre in, maybe if you were able to unfold them with a seal pick you might be able to get the centre out. Just thought it might add some clues to what this is..

 

[grubstake]

Would a pendulum have a flat piece either side? Would be a small clock. And was in the middle of the gold diggings

Yes - from memory, the accuracy of a pendulum clock is adjusted by sliding the weight up/down on its mounting rod.
Old gold diggings were often used to dump unwanted junk (and some still are).