Is this a CW cavalry bridle rosette, or is it a post CW one? Also what is the best way to preserve brass that's in bad shape to begin with? My ground is not kind to brass but make very pretty white minnie balls. Thanks!
From what I can tell, the war era rosettes have the lead filled back, like yours. The Span/Am era ones have an iron coating on the back. Then in 1902 they started using the great seal.
I thought it was a period rosette but just needed confirmation. I found a very chewed up 58 cal minnie ball today (hog chewed) and a tent rope tensioner. I found them in an area I beat to death with an Explorer 2 for 8 years. I can't believe my Simplex + is finding stuff the Explorer missed.