Concave 1 Piece Button

[fyrffytr1]

I found this button today and was hoping Y'all could give me some info on it. It is a 1 piece concave button and has a backmark that reads "SCOVILLS/TREBLE GILT" in raised letter around the rim. There is some fancy scroll work around where the attachment loop should be. I can't get a good picture tonight so if anyone needs one I will get a daylight shot tomorrow. Am I right in saying this is a civilian button dating between 1827 and 1840?

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

From the section on Scovill buttons in the McGuinn-&-Bazelon book on dating buttons by their backmarks:
"On April 4, 1827 Leavenworth and Hayden sold out and the firm became J.M.L. & W.H. Scovill with the latter taking charge of manufacturing & finances. In 1840 the firm became Scovills & Company with the addition of Scovill M. Buckingham and Abram Ives. In 1850 the different Scovill activities combined to become the Scovill Manufacturing Company."

So, your button's backmark saying "Scovills & Co." means it dates strictly from 1840 up to the company's name changing in 1850.

Cool 1-piece button, by the way. I have seen only a few with a concave front. Apparently those were made because the concavity protected goldplating/silverplating from quickly wearing off most of the button's front, as happens with flatbuttons and convex buttons. The extensive amount of gilt remaining on yours is proof that the concave design "worked."

 

[fyrffytr1]

Thanks for the info. I want to clarify that my button reads "Scovills" instead of "Scovills & Co." In Albert's button book it lists "J.M.L. & W.H.Scovill (also) "Scovills" as 1827-1840. That is why I wanted some expert advice. I hoped you would see this and give me your opinion.