Patinating a Button

[shanniereb]

Camden got a small Confederate shell jacket, it has the small "CSA" buttons on it. It was missing one, so I bought the repos from Ebay. I just don't want the new ones to "stand" out like a sore thumb. How can I get the patinated look to them? The other ones on the jacket already have the patinated look to them. Thanks for any help.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Camden got a small Confederate shell jacket, it has the small "CSA" buttons on it. It was missing one, so I bought the repos from Ebay. I just don't want the new ones to "stand" out like a sore thumb. How can I get the patinated look to them? The other ones on the jacket already have the patinated look to them. Thanks for any help.

I'd leave them alone.....Given time, and not much time.....they will "patina" anyway.
Besides, if a soldier in the field lost a button or two, he would "find" any buttons that were available and sew them on.....

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

I have no idea about what ya'll reenactor's typically advise - but (controlled) vinegar fume exposure has impressive outcomes on brass.

It gets alot of use with custom firearms and knives.

 

[shanniereb]

Good idea just to leave them natural. Besides, it is just a play item really.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Soldiers back then also had to replace buttons from time to time.

 

[Craig L Barry]

In fact, mismatched buttons were not that uncommon.