Great Seal Button Backmarks Help

[Bigcypresshunter]

I am assembling a list of US Army Great Seal button backmarks 1902-present.. This seems to be the most complete list available anywhere. With the help of TN members, I am occasionally adding and improving upon it. So far I have over 100 different backmarks. Anyone with a Great Seal button backmark or backmark variation not listed please post the pic and Ill add it. The thread is already so long its not necessary to add anything already pictured. Thanks.

This is how it all started:


I bought 2 bags of small Great Seal of US buttons for a buck at a flea market. Can someone help me date these backmarks? I believe they are all post 1902. I cant find anything else online.

1- Top row SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY (back ungilted)
2- SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY
3- Bottom CITY BUTTON WORKS - N.Y.
4- WATERBURY BUTTON CO.

 

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[cudamark]

Thats not a Great Seal button. yours is older.

Any idea as to how old? And who would have worn it?

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Any idea as to how old? And who would have worn it?

I dunno looks like an Indian wars infantry button but I'm no expert on these.. Start a new thread in what is it.. Post pics front and back and someone will tell you for sure. This thread is for great seal buttons only.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Cudamark, your "Eagle I" button was worn by US Army Infantry officers. (The initial on the shield tells the army branch of service... I for infantry, A for artillery, C for cavalry, etc.) According the book "American Military Button Makers And Dealers; Thie Backmarks & Dates" (by McGuinn & Bazelon), a button whose backmark says D. Evans Superfine dates from 1860 into the 1870s.

 

[cudamark]

Cudamark, your "Eagle I" button was worn by US Army Infantry officers. (The initial on the shield tells the army branch of service... I for infantry, A for artillery, C for cavalry, etc.) According the book "American Military Button Makers And Dealers; Thie Backmarks & Dates" (by McGuinn & Bazelon), a button whose backmark says D. Evans Superfine dates from 1860 into the 1870s.

Great! Thanks!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Hello CBG. Good to see you are still here. I didn't receive your pm because my box is full. I'm gonna delete some stuff when I get a chance but I'm still on a weak signal in the swamp.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

TIFFANY & CO. MAKERS **** BRONZE m

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

SUPERIOR QUALITY MADE IN ENGLAND

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I bid on it but a little too high for me $16.95 for one rare Tiffany Great Seal button plus shipping. Did you see this RockerMike? There was one for 9.99 last week but it didnt sell

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is the HBW Celluloid button backmark as listed in the book.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Another US Army Great Seal button backmark not on the list.

N.S MEYER INC. NEW YORK ACID TEST

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Backmark Estimated production Comments Identifying US Military Uniform Button Backmarks - Age, Type, Design, and Construction

A M & Co. 23 M PARIS
[Blank] [compressed fiberboard] Albert GI109.B
[Blank] [oiled cloth front] Albert GI109.D
AM. BUTTON CO *NEWARK, N.J.* 1902 to 1917
AMERICAN BUTTON CO. *NEWARK N.J.* 1901 to 1920
AMERICAN BUTTON COMPANY NEWARK, NJ....
AMERICAN EMBLEM CO. UTICA N.Y. WWI
* [anchor] WWII
ARNSTEIN SIMON & CO. * S.F. * WWI
Art in Buttons U S U. S. A.[vegetable ivory] Albert GI109.E
ART METAL WORKS INC -NEWARK, N.J. 1900 to 1930 approx.
THE ART METAL WORKS, NEWARK, N.J.
THE AUSTIN CO. PROVIDENCE R.I.
B.PASQUALE CO., S. FRAN., CAL. In business 1854 to 1970's
BADGER MFG. CO. RACINE, WI.
BROOKS.BROTHERS *NEW YORK*ENGLAND 1902 to 1910
C KENYON CO. NEW YORK WWI to 1930
CHAS. FISCHER SPG. CO. NEW YORK WWII?
CHESHIRE BUTTON * CT. USA *
CITY BUTTON WORKS N.Y. WWI Made by Erlanger & Liebmann
CITY BUTTON WORKS NEW YORK 1877 to 1923
COL BUT WKS RUTHERFORD N.J. WWI
COLUMBIA BUTTON WKS*RUTHERFORD,N.J.* WWI
CORD 22
D. EVANS & CO ATTLEBORO FALLS WWI Company 1848 to 1944
D. EVANS & CO. * NO. ATTLEBORO, MASS. [red paint on the back] Company 1848 to 1945
D. EVANS & CO. N.A. WWI Reported found in France. Company 1848 to 1946
D. EVAN'S & CO [red paint on the back]
D. KLEIN & BRO PHILA. PA. [copper finish]
DUSENBURY & SCHWAB INC. NEW YORK 229 4TH AVE.
E.A. ARMSTRONG MFG. CO. CHICAGO
FINE QUALITY
G J & F PARIS
GEMSCO, N.Y.
GREENWOOD CO * DETROIT MICH *
HBW [composition] Albert GI109.A
H W I SCHWAB INC NEW YORK
H.V. ALLIEN & CO. NEW YORK Company: 1877-1948
HEIBERGER WASHINGTON
HORSTMANN *** PHILA *** 1893-1935
HORSTMANN [dot] C [dot] PHILA [dot] WWI
W. H. HORSTMANN & CO WWII?
J.A.I. HAHN BALTIMORE
J.R. GAUNT LONDON
JACOB REED'S SONS * PHILA. * In business 1880 to 1983
JACOB REEDS SONS PHIL.
JAMES C. DORAN & SONS PROVIDENCE R.I.
JEWELERS PRODUCTS CORP. PROV. R.I. WWI
THE J.E. MERGOTT CO. NEWARK, N.J.
JOHNSON * MILANO * WWI Reported made in Italy
KREMENTZ LIBERTY BRONZE
L.&R. METAL PROD. N.Y
L.A. MYERS. JR. INC. NEWARK N.J.
LUXENBERG NEW YORK MADE IN ENGLAND
MADE IN ENGLAND [anodized aluminum front]
MARSHALL FIELD & CO. CHIC ILL
MAURICE BOURDON [up arrow] PARIS
MAURICE BOURDON Name: [anchor] PARIS [anchor]
Morry Luxenberg/London Albert GI108.A.1
METAL SPECIALTIES Co. ATTLESBURG, MASS. [painted black] 1940 to 1945
S.N. MEYER WASHINGTON D.C. In business 1890 to 1925
N.S. MEYERS * NEW YORK * In business 1906 to 2000
I. A. MEYERS JR INC. NEWARK NJ
NEW YORK BUTTON WORKS WWI Reported found in France
[?] N.Y. [pressed vegetable ivory] WWII
R. LIEBMANN MFG CO WWI
R. LIEBMANN MFG. CO.-NEWARK NJ
R. L. MFG Co Newark N.J. WWI to ?
REX PRODUCTS CORP * NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. * 1902-WWII
ROSENFIELD & RAPKIN * BOSTON, MASS.
S & J WATERBURY CT. WWI Reported found in France
SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY [back ungilted] WWI 1850 to 1865 backmark
SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY WWI 1850 to 1865 backmark
SCOVILL MF'G CO [dot] WATERBURY [dot] [shank not soldered, weak imprint] WWII and later possibly to 1970s
SCOVILL MF'G CO. * WATERBURY * 1902 to 1918 1870s backmark?
SCOVILL M'FG CO. WATERBURY [ring of dots] abt 1902? 1860 to 1880 backmark
SCOVILL MF'G CO. WATERBURY CT. WWI 1870s to ? backmark
SHIELDS INC. ATTLEBORO, MASS.
SIGMUND EISNER RED BANK N.J WWI In business1859 to 1925.
S. EISENER CO. RED BANK N.J. WWI In business1859 to 1925.
STEELE & JOHNSON * WATERBURY CT * WWI Reported found in France
* SUPERIOR QUALITY *
SUPREME 172 QUALITY
TIFFANY & CO. MAKERS ** M ** [14K gold blazer] 1907-1947
U.S ARMY STANDARD *
UNIQUE ART MFG CO. NEWARK, N. J.
US PRODUCTS CORP
W.B. CO.
WARNOCK UNIFORM CO *NEW YORK*[made from horn] Albert GI109.C
W W W W modern Waterbury
WATERBURY BUTTON CO. * 1849 to 1965
WATERBURY BUTTON CO. *CONN.* pre 1965
WATERBURY COS INC CONN post 1965
WOLCOTT MF'G CO. PROVIDENCE RI. est. 1906 to after 1922
ZELL PRODUCTS CORP. N.Y.C.


B.B.Abrahams/Philadelphia
S.Appel & Co. (coat size)
E.A.Armstrong
Bernhard & Schrag & Co. (coat size)
Best & Co. (Any)
Brooks Brothers (any type or size)
Chapsal & Michaul/Paris
Clayton /Chicago
DeMoulin Bros. (coat size)
James C. Doran & Sons/Providence R.I.
Dusenbury & Schwab Inc./New York/229-4th Ave
Fa Ne Di Lorenzo/Firenze
Frateli Reanda/Roma
Greenwood Co./Detroit Mich
Hahn/Baltimore
Johnson /Milano (coat size)
Jennens & Co. (gilt)
D.Klein & Bros./Philadelphia
Frank J. Krupp/Washington
S&B Lederer Co./Providence R.I.
Lewis MS Co. San Antonio
W&S Lyon Co. NY
W.S.Mangre & Co./San Fransico Calif
Marshall Field /Chicago
McEnany & Scott NY Made in England
SN Meyer/Washington
B. Pasquale Co. /S.Fran.,Cal. (officers button with cut out rim & eagle)
Publix Theater Corp NY
Reliable Mfg Co./Newark NJ
Alfredo Roensch (Any, and w/ applied device)
Josh Starkey (listed in Johnson's book)
State Arsenal/Harrisburg PA
T.W.&W./Paris
Tiffany & Co.
Travis Merchantile Co./San Antonio Tx
Walcott Mfg. Co Providence R.I.
Wender & Goldstein Brooklyn NY
J.H.Wilson/Philadelphia

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Hi All, Here is an updated list of Great Seals I'm looking for: Non-dug please....

B.B.Abrahams/Philadelphia
S.Appel & Co. (coat size)
E.A.Armstrong
Bernhard & Schrag & Co. (coat size)
Best & Co. (Any)
Brooks Brothers (any type or size)
Chapsal & Michaul/Paris
Clayton /Chicago
DeMoulin Bros. (coat size)
James C. Doran & Sons/Providence R.I.
Dusenbury & Schwab Inc./New York/229-4th Ave
Fa Ne Di Lorenzo/Firenze
Frateli Reanda/Roma
Greenwood Co./Detroit Mich
Hahn/Baltimore
Johnson /Milano (coat size)
Jennens & Co. (gilt)
D.Klein & Bros./Philadelphia
Frank J. Krupp/Washington
S&B Lederer Co./Providence R.I.
Lewis MS Co. San Antonio
W&S Lyon Co. NY
W.S.Mangre & Co./San Fransico Calif
Marshall Field /Chicago
McEnany & Scott NY Made in England
SN Meyer/Washington
B. Pasquale Co. /S.Fran.,Cal. (officers button with cut out rim & eagle)
Publix Theater Corp NY
Reliable Mfg Co./Newark NJ
Alfredo Roensch (Any, and w/ applied device)
Josh Starkey (listed in Johnson's book)
State Arsenal/Harrisburg PA
T.W.&W./Paris
Tiffany & Co. (any type or size)
Travis Merchantile Co./San Antonio Tx
Walcott Mfg. Co Providence R.I.
Wender & Goldstein Brooklyn NY
J.H.Wilson/Philadelphia

As always any help is appreciated! Email is [email protected] Thanks!

I picked up a CLAYTON * CHICAGO * and I notice a Tiffany with the shank broken off is on eBay. 7 8" Bronze Military Button Great Seal of The United States Tiffany Co 4P | eBay

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Cuff buttons from Spartcom5 not on my list. Im listing this Scovill cuff backmark is 1902-1910 unless other buttons are found it can be updated at a later date.

SCOVILL MF'G CO.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I picked up a JENNENS & Co. LONDON its on Rockermikes want list but not gilt.

I believe with the rim this could be dated 1910-1912 Button Makers and their backmarks G to M - ukdfd

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

here is a photo from eBay of HORSTMANN and HORSTMANN backmarks. Notice the different variations. These are all 1902-1910 US Army Great Seal rimless buttons. Note that some have the older lettering with serifs and some have the more modern plain block lettering. (Serifs shown in red)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is the dateline for JENNENS & Co. LONDON. That could make this backmark 1832-1912.

 

[kyle369]

*BUMP* Here's a new backmark for ya Bigcypresshunter:

RL (Interlocked) in a Circle (is this an R. Liebmann button?)

 

[a23fraser]

Great reference thread! I cant believe how many years its been active!
I have 2 variations that are listed on the book pages you posted but i would like some help verifying dates and rarity? The book lists them as "black" and im not sure if i am understanding the description, did they not make black after the 20s?
WAT. CO.
WATERBURY COMPANIES INC. *

 

[nhbenz]

Subdued U.S. Army buttons weren't on GI clothes manufactured after 1923. It appears that Waterbury still offers the button though: 80730 - Military - Waterbury Button
Waterbury Companies (plural) indicates it was made after 1941 or so, when the company changed their name (from Company, singular) to reflect their more diverse products.

Kyle, I note that yours appears to be the chinstrap button from the side of a visor cap, which I'm not sure BigCy was including -- but I don't know that he's not, so I guess this is more a question for him. Also, BigCy, are you including cuff buttons, which often have abbreviated marks, due to limited space on them?

 

[fyrffytr1]

I came across this site while looking for another button. They show a Great Seal but I am not sure if it is military issue though it is a well defined device. They also show Navy buttons and some other that could be mistaken for military issue if they are not.
American Eagle