Bingham School Button: Anyone Recognize the Backmark?

FoundInNC

FoundInNC

Sr. Member
Mar 20, 2012
458
637
Mebane, North Carolina
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Hey guys, I have dug lots and lots of these buttons in North Carolina. Here is a tough one. I know that this button came from the Confederate, Bingham School and is older than 1891(year of school close). Can anyone tell me a little more about the manufacturer of the button and an approximate age? The others I have dug have Scovill backmarks which are easy to identify. This one just has stars. Neat button though!8-)

Here is something extra and fun for you guys:

First person to guess what site I found this button at wins a "thataboy"
 

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Brad, can't help you on the button ID but I like it. I found the very same size/style button a while back that had "HS" on it from the Horner Military School in Hillsboro. Must have been a popular style cuff button.
 

I use to remember the maker for the circle of stars and for the life of me I can't find it in my backmark book now. Rich Quality used a circle of stars on early 1-piece buttons, but I know that is not it. If I remember it was a Scovil mark for cuff buttons, but I can not swear by it. I can tell you with absolutely certainty that the button is 1875+. That is the late style for the Bingham School buttons, and the loop and construction style fits that mold as well.

Still always cool to dig them.
@ ScrewyNewy, I dug a Horner School button as well.

Dan
 

HomeGuardDan said:
I use to remember the maker for the circle of stars and for the life of me I can't find it in my backmark book now. Rich Quality used a circle of stars on early 1-piece buttons, but I know that is not it. If I remember it was a Scovil mark for cuff buttons, but I can not swear by it. I can tell you with absolutely certainty that the button is 1875+. That is the late style for the Bingham School buttons, and the loop and construction style fits that mold as well.

Still always cool to dig them.
@ ScrewyNewy, I dug a Horner School button as well.

Dan
Click to expand...

Dan, at this time we are unsure of the dates on the different types of "BS" Buttons. I can say that i have dug 60+ Bingham Coat buttons. Of those, a third are block font letters. Most of the "script" style letters are civil war era, earlier, or post war. All of the block lettered buttons are either post civil war or contemporaneous. Your backmark source doesnt have any info on this odd backmark? I am not disagreeing with you on the date approximation, i just want to see it or have someone confirm it. Thanks Dan!

@Screwy, i loved that hillsboro horner button. Great find!
 

FoundInNC said:
Dan, at this time we are unsure of the dates on the different types of "BS" Buttons. I can say that i have dug 60+ Bingham Coat buttons. Of those, a third are block font letters. Most of the "script" style letters are civil war era, earlier, or post war. All of the block lettered buttons are either post civil war or contemporaneous. Your backmark source doesnt have any info on this odd backmark? I am not disagreeing with you on the date approximation, i just want to see it or have someone confirm it. Thanks Dan!

@Screwy, i loved that hillsboro horner button. Great find!
Click to expand...

I understand the topic very well of bingham school buttons. I have never seen a block letter staff come from a camp, but I have seen the script buttons come from them (with period backmarks). I even have a script BS from the front yard of General Grimes's house (with an 1850's bm). Though I cannot say with absolutely certainty but the construction of that button (loop size, back construction) is common amongst those of the 1870's and later. I will see if I can dig up the backmark info, cuff buttons at times have odd backmarks, plus there could always be a local manufacturer. Sometimes the backmark (though important) can be omitted to button construction.

Here are two other nice Hillsboro area buttons I actually just posted this picture on another forum for an ID on the early buckle dug at the same site. The one piece HMA is about as good as it gets. Thought with this topic you guys would enjoy seeing them.

HH

Dan
pile4.jpg
 

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HomeGuardDan said:
I understand the topic very well of bingham school buttons. I have never seen a block letter staff come from a camp, but I have seen the script buttons come from them (with period backmarks). I even have a script BS from the front yard of General Grimes's house (with an 1950's bm). Though I cannot say with absolutely certainty but the construction of that button (loop size, back construction) is common amongst those of the 1870's and later. I will see if I can dig up the backmark info, cuff buttons at times have odd backmarks, plus there could always be a local manufacturer. Sometimes the backmark (though important) can be omitted to button construction.

Here are two other nice Hillsboro area buttons I actually just posted this picture on another forum for an ID on the early buckle dug at the same site. The one piece HMA is about as good as it gets. Thought with this topic you guys would enjoy seeing them.

HH

Dan
View attachment 666793
Click to expand...

Dan i must admit my severe jealousy of that HMA button. That tops my most wanted relic. Congrats on that beauty.
 

FoundInNC said:
Dan i must admit my severe jealousy of that HMA button. That tops my most wanted relic. Congrats on that beauty.
Click to expand...

Well i can say I am a bit jealous of 60 BS buttons. That must make for a nice display of history through the years, regarless of pre, period, or post war backmarks. Post them on up at some point, would love to see them.

Dan
 

IMAG0693.jpgYou have no idea how much work it was to get all these! I had alot of fun doing it! I have about 12 Bingham Confederate plates as well.
 

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FoundInNC said:
View attachment 666879You have no idea how much work it was to get all these! I had alot of fun doing it! I have about 12 Bingham Confederate plates as well.
Click to expand...

Ok, so now I am officially jealous. I do enjoy the NC school buttons (even the ones that are post war i.e. Davis School, Horner, etc.) I would love to see the plates. Shoot me an email when you get a chance [email protected] I lived in NC until last year when I took a job here in VA. Spent my life from an early age digging in eastern NC. Even lived in Raleigh for a spell and did quite a bit of digging there.

Dan
 

The plates are really not that exciting, they are just concave brass clip corner thin brass plates like used by the Confederacy. There were sash buckles and belt plates, I have some of both. I am glad that you like the buttons. I sent you an email.
 

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