Great Seal Button Backmarks Help

[Bigcypresshunter]

I am assembling a list of US Army Great Seal button backmarks 1902-present.. This seems to be the most complete list available anywhere. With the help of TN members, I am occasionally adding and improving upon it. So far I have over 100 different backmarks. Anyone with a Great Seal button backmark or backmark variation not listed please post the pic and Ill add it. The thread is already so long its not necessary to add anything already pictured. Thanks.

This is how it all started:


I bought 2 bags of small Great Seal of US buttons for a buck at a flea market. Can someone help me date these backmarks? I believe they are all post 1902. I cant find anything else online.

1- Top row SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY (back ungilted)
2- SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY
3- Bottom CITY BUTTON WORKS - N.Y.
4- WATERBURY BUTTON CO.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Check out page 51. Archaeologists found a Badger button at Fort Dade in Florida but could not properly identify it.. They should have asked TN.
http://www.fws.gov/HistoricPreserva...ontKeyHistoricTransportationMappingReport.pdf

Although one button bears a
backstamp “Badger Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wisconsin”, an extensive search failed to
uncover any details about this company.

 

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[Roff]

Check out page 51. Archaeologists found a Badger button at Fort Dade in Florida but could not properly identify it.. They should have asked TN.
http://www.fws.gov/HistoricPreserva...ontKeyHistoricTransportationMappingReport.pdf

Although one button bears a
backstamp “Badger Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wisconsin”, an extensive search failed to
uncover any details about this company.

Yeah, I ran across that before I posted my question here.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I guess we dont know a whole lot about the Wisconsin company either but we were able to pin a better date on it. I wish they had a better picture of the button they found. It appears to be pre-WWI as well.

 

[Roff]

I guess we dont know a whole lot about the Wisconsin company either but we were able to pin a better date on it. I wish they had a better picture of the button they found. It appears to be pre-WWI as well.

It looks to be the same size as the one I found: 36-ligne, which is 22.86mm.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

An interesting pre-war c. 1902-1910 type of button cover that can be slipped over a civilian jacket button easily and has a slide ring on back to keep it in place. It may have been originally under an 1886 patent by Frank A. Fox.

 

[CASPER-2]

I got a small handful of great seal buttons
found at a WWI training camp
some are probably real common - may have a few
not so common
will post them as i can get pics and crop etc.

here is one - largest size made - probably for winter wool coat

 

[CASPER-2]

here's another GS button from WWIcamp

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I got a small handful of great seal buttons
found at a WWI training camp
some are probably real common - may have a few
not so common
will post them as i can get pics and crop etc.

here is one - largest size made - probably for winter wool coat

Thats a D, Evans and I have it on the list. Its interesting because its one of the few buttons with a red back. The front is painted black. I also have a reddish brown backed Waterbury. I dont know reasoning for color backed buttons.



If you have anything not on this list it would be helpful to post it, otherwise I have it. Im sorry I havent had time to update my list and many are missing..

1- SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY (back ungilted) WWI (1850-1865 backmark)
2- SCOVILL MF'G CO WATERBURY WWI (1850-1865 backmark)
3- SCOVILL MF'G CO. WATERBURY CT. WWI (1870s-? backmark)
4- SCOVILL M'FG CO. WATERBURY (ring of dots) 1902 (1860-1880 backmark)
5- SCOVILL MF'G CO. * WATERBURY * 1902-1960? (1870s-1960? backmark)
6- WATERBURY BUTTON CO. * 1849-1965
7- WATERBURY BUTTON CO. *CONN.* pre 1965
8- WATERBURY COS INC CONN post 1965
9- W W W W (waterbury) modern
10- W.B. CO.
11- CITY BUTTON WORKS - N.Y.- WWI
12- CITY BUTTON WORKS- NEW YORK- 1877-1923 (moved to NJ 1923-55)
13- US PRODUCTS CORP
14- R. LIEBMANN MFG CO WWI
15 R. LIEBMANN MFG. CO.-NEWARK NJ- WWI-?
16- R.L. MFG Co Newark N.J. WWI-?
17- THE AUSTIN CO. PROVIDENCE R.I.
18- HORSTMANN *** PHILA *** 1893-1935
19- HORSTMANN PHILADELPHIA. * copper face- brass back overcoat size
20- N.S. MEYERS * NEW YORK * 1906-2000 (in business in NY)
21- AMERICAN BUTTON CO. *NEWARK N.J.* 1901-1920
22- AM. BUTTON CO *NEWARK, N.J.* 1902-1917
23- AMERICAN EMBLEM CO. UTICA N.Y. WWI
24- UNIQUE ART MFG CO. NEWARK, N. J. 1916-1952 approx.
25- THE ART METAL WORKS, NEWARK, N.J.
26- ART METAL WORKS INC -NEWARK, N.J.- 1902-1930 approx.
27- METAL SPECIALTIES Co. ATTLESBURG, MASS. 1940-1945 (painted black)
28- CHAS. FISCHER SPG. CO. NEW YORK WWII?
29- FINE * QUALITY *
30- GREENWOOD CO * DETROIT MICH *
31- COL BUT WKS RUTHERFORD N.J. WWI
32- COLUMBIA BUTTON WKS*RUTHERFORD,N.J.* WWI
33- NEW YORK BUTTON WORKS WWI (found in France)
34- S & J WATERBURY CT. WWI (found in France)
35- STEELE & JOHNSON * WATERBURY CT * WWI (found in France)
36- JEWELERS PRODUCTS CORP. PROV. R.I. WWI (found in France)
37- SUPREME 172 QUALITY
38- REX PRODUCTS CORP * NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. * 1902-WWII
39- D. EVANS & CO. * NO. ATTLEBORO, MASS. (red back) 1848-1945
40- D. EVANS & CO. N.A. WWI (found in France)
41- D. EVANS & CO ATTLEBORO FALLS WWI
42- * SUPERIOR QUALITY *
43- MADE IN ENGLAND (anodized aluminum front)
44- S. EISENER CO. RED BANK N.J. WWI (in business1859-1925)
45- SIGMUND EISNER RED BANK N.J WWI " " " "
46- Art in Buttons U S U. S. A. (vegetable ivory)
47- ? N.Y. (pressed vegetable ivory) war years
48- C KENYON CO. NEW YORK WWI- 1930
49- BROOKS.BROTHERS *NEW YORK* ENGLAND 1902-1910.
50- L.A. MYERS. JR. INC. NEWARK N.J.
51- H.V. ALLIEN & CO. NEW YORK 1877-1948
52- DUSENBURY & SCHWAB INC. NEW YORK 229 4TH AVE.
53- LUXENBERG NEW YORK MADE IN ENGLAND
54- ROSENFIELD & RAPKIN * BOSTON, MASS.
55- WARNOCK UNIFORM CO *NEW YORK* (made from horn)
56- G J & F PARIS
57- H W I SCHWAB INC NEW YORK
58- THE J.E. MERGOTT CO. NEWARK, N. J.
59- JAMES C. DORAN & SONS PROVIDENCE R.I.
60- CORD 22
61- TIFFANY & CO. MAKERS ** M ** (14K gold blazer) 1907-1947
62- JACOB REED'S SONS * PHILA. * in business 1880-1983
63- A M & CIE 23 M PARIS
64- B.PASQUALE CO., S. FRAN., CAL. in business 1854-1970's
65- GEMSCO, N.Y.
66- SHIELDS INC. ATTLEBORO, MASS.
67- FINE QUALITY
68- ZELL PRODUCTS CORP. N.Y.C.
69- S.N. MEYER WASHINGTON D.C. in business 1890-1925
70- BADGER MFG. CO. RACINE, WI.
71- JOHNSON * MILANO * WWI (made in Italy)
72- MARSHALL FIELD & CO. CHIC ILL
73- U.S ARMY STANDARD *
74- JACOB REEDS SONS PHIL.
75- HEIBERGER WASHINGTON
76- D. KLEIN & BRO PHILA. PA. (copper)
77- E.A. ARMSTRONG MFG. CO. CHICAGO
78- KREMENTZ LIBERTY BRONZE
79- J.R. GAUNT LONDON
80- L.&R. METAL PROD. N.Y
81- CHESHIRE BUTTON * CT. USA *
82- L & R MEDAL PROD. N.Y.
83- MAURICE BOURDON PARIS
84- * (vegetable ivory) WWII
85- WOLCOTT MF'G CO. PROVIDENCE RI. in business 1906-1922
86- PAT. 54296 RENEWED '35 rare 1935-46 manufacturers error of 1919 patent
87- ATTLEBORO
88- (blank)
89- ARNSTEIN SIMON & CO. * S.F. * WWI
90- TAUNTON PEARL WKS. TAUNTON 1912- ?
91- HANDY BUTTON MACH. CO. * CHICAGO * tin-backed
92- HANDY BUTTON MACH. CO. * NEW YORK * tin-backed
93- GOLD PLATED * * *
93- LIBERTY MFG. CO. LOS ANGELES CAL. PATENT PEND. locket button WWII

I have a lot of work to do to update the list. I need to start adding the size. Thanks. Great pics.


ROSENFIELD & RAPKIN . BOSTON . 23mm
GAUNT.N.Y. MADE IN ENGLAND 15mm
J.R.GAUNT & SON INC. NEW YORK . MADE IN ENGLAND
D.EVANS & CO. INC. N. ATT. 15mm
J.C.L. SHABECK * PROV. R . I * 15mm screw post
JAFFE * JAFFE NEW YORK 15mm
WATERBURY BUTTON CO.
CLAYTON * CHICAGO

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

here's another GS button from WWIcamp

Its a long thread but I also have that. Those are pretty common. Its not necessary posting pics if I already have it pictured. I would be grateful to see anything that you have not on the list. Nice buttons. Thanks.

Even if there is a slight difference in the backmark, I can add it to the list.

 

[CASPER-2]

here another regular size

 

[CASPER-2]

heres another

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The 4 you posted are pretty common. Interesting that the D, Evans Company moved from Attleboro Falls to No. Attleboro or vice versa. I dont remember. Do you have any not on the list?

http://www.rmlonline.org/pdffiles/Stone North Attleboro.pdf

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have a button tin full of old Great Seal buttons I picked up on eBay for very cheap but I havent had time to search through them and add to the list but maybe some day. Thanks everyone for their help.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Pre WWI GS button with common backmark on eBay but not on any list.

* SPECIAL QUALITY * no rim pre-1910

Maybe this thread should be moved?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

There is another, apparently rare, pre WWI, GS backmark on eBay, not on my list or the books list. Im not bidding on it but I wonder if they will ever have value? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-7-US...573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319e5524d

Can anybody read the backmarks on the smaller buttons? They may be J.M. LITCHFIELD

I think I see LITCHFIELD CO. and I think I see CAL. (The large center button is Horstmann)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I found here that they went out of business in the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. http://www.maritimeheritage.org/vips/jmLitchfield.htm



J.M. Litchfield & Co., owned by J.M. Litchfield, was a clothing outfitters in business in San Francisco, California in 1876 and went out of business in 1906 after the Great Earthquake devastated the City.

 

[Walter]

Re: Button Date Help

BigCypressHunter,

You may have seen this link already but just in case. It has lots of button backmarks with their dates.

http://pw1.netcom.com/~jimyce/bm.html

HH!
-Moe

Thanks for link

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I wrote to the seller but no answer yet. This is what I see. The dateline 1s 1902-06 but the backs may be older stock.

LITCHFIELD ?? S.F.CAL.?? The question marks may be numbers

 

[diggummup]

I pulled a bunch of GS buttons out of a large tin of buttons I purchased at a garage sale. I'll check the backmarks tommorrow and ley you know if I have anything not listed on here yet. This is a great thread for these specific buttons, it deserves a permanent spot somewhere. With all the sub forums on this site (including ones that have absolutely nothing to do with treasure hunting) you would think there would be a buttons board somewhere. I mean after all, buttons are a common detector find and some are worth good money. I think i'll suggest it to the new owners.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I pulled a bunch of GS buttons out of a large tin of buttons I purchased at a garage sale. I'll check the backmarks tommorrow and ley you know if I have anything not listed on here yet. This is a great thread for these specific buttons, it deserves a permanent spot somewhere. With all the sub forums on this site (including ones that have absolutely nothing to do with treasure hunting) you would think there would be a buttons board somewhere. I mean after all, buttons are a common detector find and some are worth good money. I think i'll suggest it to the new owners.

new owners?