2 piece button question

[xcopperstax]

Hello Fellow TNetters,

I found this button a couple months ago. I know all about the history and what it is. What I am curious about is the ring on the back. I've seen these rings on other peoples found buttons. Can anyone shed some light on these rings attached to the shank?
Thanks for any thoughts and comments

 

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[HuntinDog]

For a heavy coat.
Keeps the button face aligned.

 

[namxat]

The button is from the US Life Saving Service which existed from 1878 to 1915, just if you didnt find out yourself.

 

[DCMatt]

The rings are sometimes used behind smaller (cuff size) buttons holding chin straps on Civil War era kepis. It is tucked behind the hat band and never seen. It withstands the twisting/use of the chin strap a lot better than thread.

I've never seen them used on coats.

 

[HuntinDog]

Well DC I stand/sit corrected.
I have seen them used on hatbands.
I just remember someone telling me they were for heavy coat buttons...

 

[Reanm8er]

Not that it would answer all your questions but research the history of the US Life Saving Service, re Hatteras Island, or Hatteras Island family Surname Midget.
Some worthwhile firsthand accounts of rescues from maritime tragedies, in a realistic perspective.

 

[DCMatt]

Well DC I stand/sit corrected.
I have seen them used on hatbands.
I just remember someone telling me they were for heavy coat buttons...

Not saying they weren't used on coats or other clothing. But I've never seen or heard of that. And it doesn't seem very practical to me having those rings dangling inside your coat.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I have a 23mm coat size 3-piece Illinois State Seal button with the ring on the back. It came from a Spanish-American war camp in south Georgia.I thought the ring was used instead of thread. And, just in case you are wondering, the backmark reads Work Bros. & Co. Chicago. They were in business from about 1888-1907.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I thought it was used instead of thread that way you could remove all the buttons for polishing or washing the coat.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Sorry I cant search my data is gone for the month but here is a modern version https://www.copquest.com/uniform-button-replacement-toggle-and-washer-set_66-6240.htm

 

[Old Pueblo]

Very cool find. And in great shape.

 

[xcopperstax]

Not that it would answer all your questions but research the history of the US Life Saving Service, re Hatteras Island, or Hatteras Island family Surname Midget.
Some worthwhile firsthand accounts of rescues from maritime tragedies, in a realistic perspective.

This was from Cape Cod close to a long gone life saving station. I have a book about Cape Cod shipwrecks where they have old photo's and you can see it's most likely a coat button. Thanks I'll look up Hatteras.

 

[xcopperstax]

Well DC I stand/sit corrected.
I have seen them used on hatbands.
I just remember someone telling me they were for heavy coat buttons...

It makes more sense to me that this was a coat button as I've seen old time photos of the life savers wearing thick (Propably canvas) coats. I'm thinking that this was some kind of device to keep the buttons attached in rough conditions which these guys certainly saw. Another idea I had is that maybe it's an extra button that was attached inside the coat in case one was lost detach this an sew it on.

 

[xcopperstax]

I thought it was used instead of thread that way you could remove all the buttons for polishing or washing the coat.

This sounds like a plausible explanation.

 

[xcopperstax]

I have a 23mm coat size 3-piece Illinois State Seal button with the ring on the back. It came from a Spanish-American war camp in south Georgia.I thought the ring was used instead of thread. And, just in case you are wondering, the backmark reads Work Bros. & Co. Chicago. They were in business from about 1888-1907.

My button is a similar time period. I'm thinking it has something to do with the rough conditions the wearer faced and it was to prevent the buttons from being lost.

 

[xcopperstax]

Not saying they weren't used on coats or other clothing. But I've never seen or heard of that. And it doesn't seem very practical to me having those rings dangling inside your coat.

thanks for the thoughts on it being for a hat. I have seen photos of the uniforms and those lead me to believe it's a coat button. I think the ring has something to do with keeping the buttons from being lost.. but I don't know for sure.