✅ SOLVED Button Id

[chasu]

Hi all,
I found this button in an older location in town. It is/was a high traffic area. The button measures .877 inches in diameter. It appears to be made out of brass possibly? All I can make out of the backmark is Waterbury. I think the LL of Scovill may be starting to show after an olive oil soak. Is it military related or civilian? Also note what is left of the shank appears to be offset to the top of the button. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Charlie

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

The design on your button is not a military emblem, so that makes your "ornate" brass 1-piece button a Fashion civilian-clothing button. Having a raised-letters backmark dates that 1-piece type from the 1790s to about 1840. But your backmark saying "Waterbury" narrows the date-range. The Scovill button-making company did not put "Waterbury" in its backmarks until 1827.

The rest of your button's backmark will probably say "J.M.L. & W.H.Scovill" or "Scovills [& Co] Waterbury."

 

[chasu]

Thanks CBG. I figured it wasn't military. I found an 1859 seated half in the same area, so that is consistent date wise. What would those decorations be called? I had zero idea how to describe them for a google search. Is it common to find an offset shank like this? Sorry for all of the question. I am just trying to learn about buttons.
thanks again,
Charlie

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Fashion buttons of that era commonly used a floral or plant motif. Looks like fern fronds on your button, bit they might be feathers.

About the offset loop:
Extreme magnification of your photo of the button's back suggests the original loop (located at the button's center) broke off, and the button was crudely repaired by applying a loop back onto it with a puddle of solder. I suspect it was done because the button was part of a set on a "cherished" coat (perhaps it was owned a beloved deceased mother or grandmother), and when the original loop broke off, the button was repaired in order to maintain the set on the coat. That's the only reason I can think of for repairing such an inexpensive object instead of simply replacing it. (The repair suggests an EXACT-matchup replacement was no longer available.)

 

[chasu]

Thanks CBG. The repair explains why I can't see more of the backmark. They must have sanded it off or covered it with the solder. I am from a rural, less affluent part of GA. They may have repaired it just because they couldn't afford or get a replacement. I really appreciate the info.
charlie