1840s Eagle Button Question

[teak]

1840's Eagle Button Question

Backmarked "S W Hartshorn Norfolk VA"

I dug this in a little camp found in the woods, Southeastern part of VA

A few that have seen it say its a rare button? Not much on the web or in the books about this button. Does anybody have any information on this button?

Thanks!

 

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[Montana Jim]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

Hopefully someone with an Alberts book can help, but initially, it's an early 1800s (1830ish - 1850ish) U.S. Navy button. This based on a hurried lunch time Google search...

 

[rocky raccoon]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

i checked alberts it is not there

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

Here's my follow-up of Montana Jim's "hurried lunch time Google search."

According the the Albert button-book, the Tice button-book, and the McGuinn-&-Bazelon book on button backmarks... your 2-piece low-convexbutton is an early-1840s US Navy button. Although your button's EXACT emblem is not shown in the Albert book, it is a variation of Albert button NA-106A, showing an eagle looking toward its left side, surrounded by 13 equally-spaced stars, perched upon a vertical anchor. In the Tice book, the exact details of your button's emblem (angle of the eagle's wings, position of stars relative to the anchor's base, etc) appear to match button #NA-212. Its low-convex face is from 1835-1845.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

I dont know if this helps.

 

[teak]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

I dont know if this helps.

91 is the closest! Thanks!

 

[teak]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

Here's my follow-up of Montana Jim's "hurried lunch time Google search."

According the the Albert button-book, the Tice button-book, and the McGuinn-&-Bazelon book on button backmarks... your 2-piece low-convexbutton is an early-1840s US Navy button. Although your button's EXACT emblem is not shown in the Albert book, it is a variation of Albert button NA-106A, showing an eagle looking toward its left side, surrounded by 13 equally-spaced stars, perched upon a vertical anchor. In the Tice book, the exact details of your button's emblem (angle of the eagle's wings, position of stars relative to the anchor's base, etc) appear to match button #NA-212. Its low-convex face is from 1835-1845.

Thanks for the info. I didn't see this reference in the Tice book earlier, but since have! Thanks again!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

Although the button's ID is now settled, I'd like to point out something, just for the purpose of Education.

In my prior post, I mentioned the emblem's "exact details" being very important for correctly identifying it. I specifically mentioned the "angle" of the eagle's wings. On the Albert book's button #NA-91, the left-side wingtip is pointing straight down at the anchor fluke's left tip. On Teak's button, the left wingtip points toward a star ...so, his button cannot be #NA-91 in the Albert book.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

Whats the backmark?

I would have posted a pic of the correct page CBG, if I had it, but unfortunately I dont have the book. I only have this one page and I didnt know if it was any help, as I said.. and I didnt see a match either.

Good work. It always helps to have good books.

 

[VB Sanddigger]

I agree with Cannonballguy

My first thought was Albert's 106A but 101A is looking to the left and it's the only one backmarked with Norfolk, Va

 

[teak]

Re: I agree with Cannonballguy

My first thought was Albert's 106A but 101A is looking to the left and it's the only one backmarked with Norfolk, Va

Cool! I guess it is rare to me... I thought the button was trash when it came out of the ground, it looked pretty bad, but since it cleaned up so well and its marked "Norfolk VA" its a keeper!! Thanks for all of the replies!!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

I didnt even realize the pic I posted was from Alberts. Its an expensive book I believe. Too bad its not online.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

The button-book by Alphaeus H. Albert ("Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons - Bicentennial Edition") is currently available in brand-new condition on Ebay for $39.95 (plus postage, usually). You might find used copies for a good bit less, via Amazon.

If I were a "rich" guy, I'd give you a copy, in appreciation for your many helpful and Educational posts in the What-Is-It? forum. Maybe when my income-tax refund comes in.

Warren K. Tice's button-book ("Uniform Buttons of the United States 1776-1865") is more up-to-date, by which I mean having a significant number of variations that aren't in the Albert book. But unlike the Albert book, Tice's book (as its title indicates) only covers 1865-and-earlier American uniform buttons. It can be purchased brand-new on Ebay for $59.95. Again, try Amazon for used copies.

By the way, BCH, when I tried to send you a PM, I got informed your PM box is full.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

By the way, BCH, when I tried to send you a PM, I got informed your PM box is full.

Thanks for telling me. I didnt know that. Ill clean it up.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

If I were a "rich" guy, I'd give you a copy, in appreciation for your many helpful and Educational posts in the What-Is-It? forum. Maybe when my income-tax refund comes in.

Thanks very much for the compliment but please dont spend any money on me. Im currently unemployed but hoping to go back to work March 1. This may give me time to sell off some antiquities. I have some Confederate buttons to sell. Maybe you can help me sell them with your connections. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,39502.0.html

 

[IronSpike]

Re: 1840's Eagle Button Question

Nice button

What size is it?