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]

Sorry to keep bringing this back up but I gotta add this rare one. I think its WWI. (in bus. 1854-WWII)
B.PASQUALE CO., S. FRAN., CAL.




Also a later manufacturer GEMSCO, N.Y.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

found yet another. SHIELDS INC. ATTLEBORO, MASS.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have a couple more Great Seal button backmarks to add:

FINE QUALITY
ZELL PRODUCTS CORP. N.Y.C.

 

[turtlefoot13]

I will have to print off your list and head to my local antique mall. They have a bin with Great Seal buttons (including some funky plastic ones) in it for $1.00 each. I will look for any backmarks not on your list, and pick them up if I find any.

Doug

 

[Sky Pilot]

Great post Big Cy!!

Great research folks!

SkyPilot

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I will have to print off your list and head to my local antique mall. They have a bin with Great Seal buttons (including some funky plastic ones) in it for $1.00 each. I will look for any backmarks not on your list, and pick them up if I find any.

Doug

sounds good.

 

[Lucas]

Sorry to keep bringing this back up but I gotta add this rare one. I think its WWI. (in bus. 1854-WWII)
B.PASQUALE CO., S. FRAN., CAL.

Pasquale was in business to the 1970's. They did a lot of Fraternal stuff too.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Sorry to keep bringing this back up but I gotta add this rare one. I think its WWI. (in bus. 1854-WWII)
B.PASQUALE CO., S. FRAN., CAL.

Pasquale was in business to the 1970's. They did a lot of Fraternal stuff too.

Should I change it to in business 1854-1970's? My list may have errors but I need the reference to change it.

 

[Lucas]

All I can tell you is I know someone who knows someone who worked for B. Pasquale and bought up their stock when they went OOB.

 

[civilman1]

I know this was posted REX PRODUCTS CORP NEW ROCHELLE NY ,here's a pic of the one I found Saturday....look's like a fire pit victim

 

[Tony (NC)]

Re: Hate to beat a dead horse....Great seal backmark

I cleaned some buttons yesterday including this 15mm Great Seal. I have another back mark for the list. I can't get a real good photo of the back. It's pretty far gone. You'll have to trust me on this one......

Badger Mfg. Co. Racine, WI

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Hate to beat a dead horse....Great seal backmark

I cleaned some buttons yesterday including this 15mm Great Seal. I have another back mark for the list. I can't get a real good photo of the back. It's pretty far gone. You'll have to trust me on this one......

Badger Mfg. Co. Racine, WI

That seems to be a rare backmark. I cant find much on the net except for this eBay China listing.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...,+Wisconsin”,+button&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us It appears to be WWII.

Thanks, Ill add it to the never ending list.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I don't know if you have a picture of this one or not.It is the one that that reads "The Art Metal Works Newark, N.J."

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I don't know if you have a picture of this one or not.It is the one that that reads "The Art Metal Works Newark, N.J."

Yes I have it thanks. I try not to add to the list without visual confirmation.

ADDED: Im not sure if my example is painted black. Ill have to check.

 

[Tony (NC)]

Re: Great Seal Button Backmarks Help - Another One

Cleaned a couple more GS buttons tonight and got another one for the list:

Johnson * Milano *

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Great Seal Button Backmarks Help - Another One

Cleaned a couple more GS buttons tonight and got another one for the list:

Johnson * Milano *

Hello Tony. Thanks for posting. Can I see a picture of the front? That has got to be one the more unusual US Army GS button backmarks I have seen! It appears to be made for the US Army by S. Johnson in Milan, Italy.

The lettering style is old and I can only guess that this is a WWI US Army button. S Johnson was in business during WWII but made buttons and medals for Mussolini. If anybody has any information on this Italian manufacturer please post.


Updated list: you wont find a more complete list online anywhere. I have a few more to add, mostly from France.

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 * 1902-1918 (1870s-? backmark)
4- SCOVILL MF'G CO. WATERBURY CT. WWI (1870s-? backmark)
5- SCOVILL M'FG CO. WATERBURY (ring of dots) 1902 (1860-1880 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 (Erlanger & Liebmann),
12- CITY BUTTON WORKS- NEW YORK- 1877-1923
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- ARNSTEIN SIMON & CO. * S.F. * WWI
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.
25- THE ART METAL WORKS, NEWARK, N.J.
26- ART METAL WORKS INC -NEWARK, N.J.- 1900-1930 approx.
27- METAL SPECIALTIES Co. ATTLESBURG, MASS. 1940-1945 (painted black)
28- CHAS. FISCHER SPG. CO. NEW YORK WWII?
29- * SUPERIOR 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. 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
47b- * (vegetable ivory) WWII
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
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 & Co. 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

 

[Tony (NC)]

Here is the front...

Not a really well made button compared to some of the other manufacturers. The "Strike" is kind of weak. Not a high relief button. But I agree....I think it's somewhat rare. I have a LOT more of these GS buttons to clean so I hope to have a few more surprises. This one has been tough to clean, but I think I'm going to stop there.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The strike is good. "lined field" type http://metaldetectingworld.com/05_photo_gallery/05_great_seal_but_1902/pages/General%20Service%2C%202-piece%2C%20lined%20field%2C%201902%20(1).htm


Another Great Seal button backmark found by Tony(NC). http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,348904.0.html

I cannot find another GS button example online. There may be 2 variations.

MARSHALL FIELD & CO. CHIC

MARSHALL FIELD & CO. CHIC ILL

72 verified backmarks and counting! Keep them coming...

 

[fyrffytr1]

I found this one while looking for info on another button. http://www.buttoncountry.com/uniform.htm

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I found this one while looking for info on another button. http://www.buttoncountry.com/uniform.htm

I could add it thanks. Whats that above it? Looks like ....OHN BUTTON WORKS N.Y.?