Silver Musketball buttons: Aye of Nae?

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 26th January 09, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver, they would be quite appropriate and valuable heirlooms. Too many "experts" think that buttons on doublets "must" be the ubiquitous diamond shaped ones.

Sandford

Here, Here!

**Carolina Kiltman** · 26th January 09, 08:24 PM

Just a caveat here, Silver turns black very quickly, especially in the presence of sulphur. The best thing would be to polish them, and let them start to tarnish (maybe fasten them to a piece of wood and run them through several cycles of the dishwasher?) then coat them with clear lacquer.) That plus the weight would be my only concern.

IMHO they would look great!

**Nanook** · 27th January 09, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver,

My wife's-- since it fits her--- near antique (close but not yet 100 years old) coatee from Wm Anderson & Sons (Kinloch Anderson) has sterling silver balls for buttons.
There is a long tradition of fine clothing getting silver, gold or even gem stones for buttons. This, in turn, goes back to a more ancient tradition where people literally wore part of their wealth. Once upon a time one really could tell the class and background of a man by his/her clothing--- and if that was not sufficient laws were even enacted (sumptuariae leges or consumption laws) to assure not only who could wear what and how but also what bits of their body could be exposed (by not wearing something).

**Good Egg** · 27th January 09, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Carolina Kiltman

Just a caveat here, Silver turns black very quickly, especially in the presence of sulphur. The best thing would be to polish them, and let them start to tarnish (maybe fasten them to a piece of wood and run them through several cycles of the dishwasher?) then coat them with clear lacquer.) That plus the weight would be my only concern.

IMHO they would look great!

Nae, nae, and thrice nae. I've seen people do that with medals. It doesn't look right anyway and after a few years the lacquer will start to yellow. You just let them tarnish and polish them from time to time.. I have an argyle with brass buttons as well as uniforms that need polishing. Polish always looks better than staybright or gloss paint or heaven forfend patent leather (the devil's leather)

**Howard Clark** · 27th January 09, 05:39 AM

I absolutely agree with this. Lacquer always discolors. It is only a question of time.

And silver does not tarnish that quickly. Unless your environment includes SO2 or some other sulphur compound, and you would know if that were true. Your nose would tell you.

**Good Egg** · 27th January 09, 06:01 AM

I remeber being on Parade, as a Jock, with RASSMAN inspecting us. IN these modern times most of the metal on our uniforms is nasty plasticky staybright stuff that does not require polishing. All you need to polish is your boots, sporran bits, belts and the little brass bits that stick out of your jacket and keep your belt up. Make sure you spats are whitened and spat buttons blacked.

The jock next to me was immaculate - but the RASSMAN had a downer on him. He could find nothing wrong with him until he inspected the brass pins and plates that go behind bagdes on your collars and bonnet. Got'im. JAIL!!! I must admit I was sweating but he didn't look at anyone else.

That is attention to detail. Never went on parade again as a Jock without polishing those things. I'll pretend that I still do, but as I'm not subject to inspections anymore, well...