Eagle Button Need Help Identifying Age

[traveller777]

I found this eagle button on a farm on the Tennessee River. I found lots of Civil War relics there for there were camps on a hill overlooking the river. This farm had been inhabited and worked since late 1700s and I think most of the time by the same family. I found this button in same location I found Civil War buttons that I could easily identify. But this is the first eagle button I found like this one. The camp was not only on a large hill, but there was a small lake there also, and the old gentleman that owned the farm said it was much larger in his youth. All the young folks used to go swim there in late 1800s and early 1900s he said.
I took two of the pictures with a magnifier app, so they look really dark. I was trying to bring out detail and the letters on the back. The letters are Old English and hard for my poor old eyes to make out. I think one of the words is "best", but I am not sure on the other word. The Caliper reading is inches.
In case you cannot tell, the back is concaved, and it is one solid piece.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[crashbandicoot]

I found this eagle button on a farm on the Tennessee River. I found lots of Civil War relics there for there were camps on a hill overlooking the river. This farm had been inhabited and worked since late 1700s and I think most of the time by the same family. I found this button in same location I found Civil War buttons that I could easily identify. But this is the first eagle button I found like this one. The camp was not only on a large hill, but there was a small lake there also, and the old gentleman that owned the farm said it was much larger in his youth. All the young folks used to go swim there in late 1800s and early 1900s he said.
I took two of the pictures with a magnifier app, so they look really dark. I was trying to bring out detail and the letters on the back. The letters are Old English and hard for my poor old eyes to make out. I think one of the words is "best", but I am not sure on the other word. The Caliper reading is inches.
In case you cannot tell, the back is concaved, and it is one solid piece.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cool button. i don,t know from squat about buttons,but I know that,s cool.Nice find!

 

[traveller777]

Cool button. i don,t know from squat about buttons,but I know that,s cool.Nice find!

Thanks mate. I think it predates Civil War but just not sure. If no one here knows I will do more research on my own.

 

[Fredneck]

Nice one !! This design started in 1821 and stayed in use to 1854

 

[traveller777]

Nice one !! This design started in 1821 and stayed in use to 1854

Super! What do the letters say on back? I think one word is "best".

 

[Fredneck]

Super! What do the letters say on back? I think one word is "best".

"Best Quality" would date it 1821-1841

 

[traveller777]

"Best Quality" would date it 1821-1841

You do not know how much I appreciate this. Do you know the manufacturer name? From England I assume. Thank you Va Dave.

 

[Florida Finder]

I found this eagle button on a farm on the Tennessee River. I found lots of Civil War relics there for there were camps on a hill overlooking the river. This farm had been inhabited and worked since late 1700s and I think most of the time by the same family. I found this button in same location I found Civil War buttons that I could easily identify. But this is the first eagle button I found like this one. The camp was not only on a large hill, but there was a small lake there also, and the old gentleman that owned the farm said it was much larger in his youth. All the young folks used to go swim there in late 1800s and early 1900s he said.
I took two of the pictures with a magnifier app, so they look really dark. I was trying to bring out detail and the letters on the back. The letters are Old English and hard for my poor old eyes to make out. I think one of the words is "best", but I am not sure on the other word. The Caliper reading is inches.
In case you cannot tell, the back is concaved, and it is one solid piece.

Any help would be appreciated.

I’ve found similar one piece Eagle designs at 1830s era forts. Likely 1820s to 1840. Congratulations!

 

[traveller777]

I’ve found similar one piece Eagle designs at 1830s era forts. Likely 1820s to 1840. Congratulations!

Thank you for your comments. I had othercomments similar. I have researched and researched and can not find one with Old English lettering on back just like this one. I had it sorted to around 1820 or so, but no exact matches. Have a great day.

 

[CivilWarFan]

100% an 1830s-1840s button
Its an infantry officer's button

 

[traveller777]

100% an 1830s-1840s button
Its an infantry officer's button

Thanks. I appreciate that, but no one can tell me manufacturer. I can not find one with the Old English letters on back mark. Bugging me. If you know maker would be great.

 

[CivilWarFan]

Its hard to tell who the manufacturer was because this is a retailer mark which would have been less expensive for the company to make. Its most likely a scovill die for the eagle front, but it is really hard to know who produced the button.

 

[smokeythecat]

They nailed the date. You know, I have never found one in this date range...go figure.

 

[traveller777]

Its hard to tell who the manufacturer was because this is a retailer mark which would have been less expensive for the company to make. Its most likely a scovill die for the eagle front, but it is really hard to know who produced the button.

Yes I have found that to be true.

 

[traveller777]

They nailed the date. You know, I have never found one in this date range...go figure.

I found it in a long term camp site along with a few other eagle buttons which were clearly Civil War. I guess somebody had an old jacket on or just needed a button. I like to think it was some gray haired old officer with his old jacket on he broke out for the war. Great spot overlooking the Tennessee River in two different spots around a bend. They could see a ferry and a train Bridge.
Thank you guys for your comments.