American button

[Spader]

Recently has found an American button on the place where it was a dwelling of local indigenous people (Far East of Russia, Sakhalin island).According to the museum's info the place was abandoned in early 20th of the last century. Also found some japanese coins dated back to 70th of 19th cent., Russian button of pre 1917 period and stuff like that.
To be true I was amused to find an American button there- a very unusual thing for the region-could you help to identify the age of it?
On the back is smth like Arnold simon&Co(I'm not sure-a bit deteriorated)
Sorry for the quality of the pictures- the camers is to be changed.

 

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[PBK]

Could it be "ARNSTEIN & SIMONS"?

"Arnstein & Simons" appear in a Waterbury Button Co. back die list for the period 1875 - 1935.

Buttons of this design— U.S. Army "Great Seal" general service— were introduced in 1902 and have remained in use ever since.

 

[Spader]

Thanks a lot for your help with the identification!

 

[ivan salis]

ah it might be from some of the american troops of around the WW1 era that fought with the czars "white russians" or might be from one of their "coats" taken by a white russian after they fell in battle or maybe it was "supplied" by the american govt for the czars troops-- the "white army" fought the "red army" communist--1917 to 1919 was the time frame I think ---the americans landed at archangel russia to help the czars troops--- the button maker made this "great seal" style button from 1902 until 1935---there is fairly good chance its either a WW1 or the american "white russian army" button---- Ivan

 

[Spader]

Ivan-may be you are right- this part of Sakhalin island was under Japan till the 1925 during the Civil War in Russia after 1917 revolution. The japaneese and americans could meet at Vladivostok area (not very far ftom the island) which was occupied by Japan and US troops as well.
Who knows- may be the japanese soldier took it to the island and then it was obtained by a local tribesmen (or it was a russian fighting for/against the coomunists-we'll never know for sure). But it very intriguing to find the stuff you couldn't even imagine could be found at your place
Thanks for your comments.