Button with London Gilt

[mastereagle22]

I thought there was a button topic on the forum but if there is I cannot find it. Anyone have any idea on the age of this button.

I can tell you the site dates back late 1700s to present.

Thanks.

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

That specific version, with a London backmark, is early-1800s ...approximately 1800 into the 1840s. They were manufactured in Britain mainly for the Civilian clothing-market, although smaller percentage did get used on Military uniforms. Some were imported into the newly-independent US, until the American button-making industry was able to "get off the ground."

The "plain-faced" 1-piece buttons fell out of favor with the public in the mid-1830s, when advances in button-making machinery enabled production of cheaply priced 2-piece buttons with stylish "ornate" designs on their front.

In case you don't already know... the word "gilt" in the backmark means your button was gold-gilted, not just simple brass. Unfortunately, the gold plating wore off the button's smooth surface pretty quickly ...so the vast majority are found with very little or no gold gilt remaining on them.

 

[mastereagle22]

Thank you somuch for the info!!!! If the button is early 1800s like you say, and I have no reason to doubt it, it is probably the oldest thing I have dug.

Thanks again

 

[brassel69]

I found the same button on historic ground close to frankfurt/germany. it is a relict from the "battle of bergen" since on 13. April 1759 in 7 years war between prussia and france army. so i thing it must be a few years older as you think. greetz