Size: 1"

Cone Shanke

A flat button decorated with an engine engraved design.

Note: There is a large scratch down the face of this button

Tombac is a coper, zinc and arsenic alloy.  It is actually a type of brass buth the ratio of zinc to copper is much higher in tombac than in common brass.  It was used for small articles such as candlesticks and snuffers which, when polished, have a soft silvery luster.  It was intended as a cheap subsitute for silver like its close counterpart: Paktong.  Since the metal is brittle, it could not be stamped and most tombac buttons are either plain or decorated with designs that have been engraved.  Like the copper buttons of the day,  Tombac buttons were made large (36mm) for men's coats and smaller (21 - 23 mm) for waistcoats and sleeves.