The object has a bevelled cross section, common in buttons. Its diameter of 1.5 cm does not give it much weight to help hang fabric. I think the object is made of iron, that has oxidised (rusted) to reddish brown. By contrast, lead oxidises to a grey colour. As for the analogy of lead water pipes illustrated at http://www.wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/flint-pipes2.jpg [1] I think that what is illustrated there is not corrosion of the lead but (a) the adhesion of iron rich clay on the outside, and (b) the build-up of what is known as 'biofilm' on the inside. Bacteria precipitate that sort of material within water pipes. https://www.watertechonline.com/process-water/article/16210316/antimicrobial-technologies [2] So I think the original suggestion that the object is a button is most likely correct. Richard ----- Original Message ----- From: "HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY" To: Cc: Sent:Sat, 26 Sep 2020 06:03:31 -0500 Subject:Re: Metal Button? Good find, but notice that the button has raised metal around it's inner circumference, and the central bar of the button is not flush with the annular disk of metal like it is in the drapery weights. Maybe these are just design differences, because I agree that the finish of the object does not match what you would expect for a button. Notice also that the corrosion deposits match that for lead. Here is another picture of lead corrosion deposits: http://www.wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/flint-pipes2.jpg Mike On 9/25/20 11:00 PM, HISTARCH automatic digest system wrote: > From: Camille Westmont > To:[log in to unmask] > Sent: Thu, Sep 24, 2020 3:39 pm > Subject: Metal Button? > > Hello everyone, > > I have a possible metal button (?) from a 1870-1890s private prison in Tennessee. I’m not entirely certain it’s a button, and I can’t find any images of buttons that look like this. It has one hole through the middle with a type of post the bisects the hole in the center of the button. Any help would be appreciated. > > You can see pictures of it at: > https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JciMiKkvsstt4LU3s8nnmvq2bgaOwHCF-n_ZRDjpPcQ/edit?usp=sharing > > Sincerely, > Camille ######################################################################## Access the HISTARCH Home Page and Archives: https://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=HISTARCH Unsubscribe from the HISTARCH List: https://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?SUBED1=HISTARCH&A=1 This email list is powered by LISTSERV: https://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html ######################################################################## Links: ------ [1] http://www.wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/flint-pipes2.jpg [2] https://www.watertechonline.com/process-water/article/16210316/antimicrobial-technologies ######################################################################## Access the HISTARCH Home Page and Archives: https://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=HISTARCH Unsubscribe from the HISTARCH List: https://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?SUBED1=HISTARCH&A=1 This email list is powered by LISTSERV: https://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html ########################################################################