Button

[Noah_D]

Howdy! I found this button today at a 1900 house, I hunted the home of a relative of the landowner and I was actually invited to hunt the place! It also just so happens to be the house my great-grandfather used to live in and where my grandma grew up! I was gridding up the front yard and I just about quit and go to a different place on the property when I found this. It appears to be a 1-piece button but it is curved like the front of a 2-piece. Also, it does have a backmark but I can't quite make it out yet. I'll try to get something off of it with a magnifier and different lighting.

If anyone can ID it or figure out how old it is etc. that would be great! Thanks!

 

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[smokeythecat]

That's a nice button. I'd say a civilian pattern, and probably 1850 ish. There are probably some other goodies nearby.

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks Smokey!

 

[HeatherM]

I use this to date buttons: https://www.detecting.us/dating-and...s/dating-buttons-by-shank-style-and-material/

 

[Noah_D]

I use this to date buttons: https://www.detecting.us/dating-and...s/dating-buttons-by-shank-style-and-material/

Thanks Heather! I found an awesome resource for dating all kinds of buttons a few days ago but I can't remember where it was... it was quite comprehensive.

 

[devldog]

Nice find and Save of the button. Congrat's.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Is the backmark raised lettering?

 

[Noah_D]

Nice find and Save of the button. Congrat's.

Thanks!

Is the backmark raised lettering?

Yes, if I'm seeing it right.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I was under the impression that raised lettering dated from the late 1700s to around 1810 for English backmarks and 1820 for American ones. But, I am easily impressed ! What letters can you make out?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Fyrfyftr1 is on the right track. This type of this "domed" 1-piece brass button with an ornate design on its front and raised-lettering backmark is from the first half of what button-collectors call "the Golden Age of Button-Making"... which lasted from about 1800 to 1850-ish. That time-period is when the art of making gold-gilted very ornate brass buttons reached its height. The first half was mostly in Britain and the second half included the USA.

Your "Golden Age" button being a thick domed ornate brass 1-piece button with raised-lettering backmark dates it to the range of about 1800 to 1835. Raised lettering tends to be from the earlier part of that time-range.

As Fyrffytr1 requested, please tell us any backmark letters you can make out. When you tell us, please include a blank space for an unknown letter... like "A.M.P--sl-y"

 

[Noah_D]

I was under the impression that raised lettering dated from the late 1700s to around 1810 for English backmarks and 1820 for American ones. But, I am easily impressed ! What letters can you make out?

Wow! I'm still not sure if it is raised or impressed BUT I just went and got my button out and with the help of a pen light and a magnifier I am seeing shadows from the letters, so I'm pretty sure they are raised.

As for the backmark, all I can see is COL maybe? I'm guessing it's part of the word COLOR but I'll get back to you tomorrow if I can see anything else.

Also, I just skimmed a part of the county history for this township and it turns out that this land was very briefly settled in 1799 so perhaps this is from them? What about Smokey's guess of 1850s? No matter which of you is correct I am happy because I just found a button that is old regardless and also discovered I am detecting a site (barely) dating to 1700s! Thank you fyrffytr1!

EDIT: Just saw CannonballGuy's comment and I guess fyrfftr1 was right on track. Thanks TheCannonballGuy! I'll try and make out the backmark better tomorrow.

 

[Noah_D]

All I can see is a C(or G)OL and directly opposite that is a G (or possibly a C). I took a few photos through a jewelers loupe but they are pretty terrible, better than nothing though. I have them on a different device so I'll have to upload separately in just a moment.

 

[Noah_D]

The photos were taken moving counterclockwise around the button where the top left pic is first, the one next to it second, the bottom left third etc. Just thought I would clarify so it's easier to piece together in your head.

 

[Noah_D]

I also found this little buckle and a roundball there, is this from the 1799 site or 1900 house do you think?

 

[michael NY]

I got this book years ago it was around $40 Albert's Military Button
now it's going for stupid prices. I like the book its compact plenty of information. Warren Tice's book on the other hand its the best United States Button Book. Years ago I knew a guy who linked his sight to button makers years tons of info sight is no longer avaible. Good luck