Great Seal Button Backmarks Help

Bigcypresshunter

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Dec 15, 2004
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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. :icon_thumright: 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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Last one...(Tonight)....BCH....does this count?

This is a 15mm with a screw back. It is J.C.L. Shabeck * Prov. R.I. *
 

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One More...

This one is UGLY! Had a terrible time cleaning this one. Looks like it's been through a war or something!

Jaffe * Jaffe New York - 15mm
 

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Wow!

Somebody wanted those! That's a new one on me, but add it to the list along with this one:

CLAYTON * CHICAGO *
 

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


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. crossed arrows.jpg
CLAYTON * CHICAGO *
 

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In a post that never seems to end, Im adding a SIGMUND EISNER RED BANK (4 dots) variation from Steelheadwill http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,382356.0.html
great aeal red bank298466275_tp.jpg

and a SIGMUND EISNER RED BANK (1 dot)
great seal sigmund eisner 4 dot.jpg

I also found some steel back 15mm FRIELICH BROTHERS Great Seal hat buttons on eBay. I cant find anything on the company that made them.
 

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bigcypresshunter said:
I also found some steel back 15mm FRIELICH BROTHERS Great Seal hat buttons on eBay. I cant find anything on the company that made them.

Best I could come up with ~

http://www.campbell.army.mil/campbe...ved vendors for local unit crest purchase.XLS (shows them as a supplier; however, the 904-781-2550 number actually belongs to the listing above them (Eagle Crest) and there's no address listed, unlike most)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3287738.html (patent of 1966, issued to Frielich Brothers Corp, New York for a "frame element for uniform caps" ... researching might lead somewhere? Maybe, even though the great seal button design was adopted in 1902 and used through WW II ?
 

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Re: Great Seal Button Backmarks Help - More Examples....

BCH....I think this is the one you posted above that no one identified:

U.B. CO. N.Y.
 

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Re: Another Horstmann Variation

W.H. HORSTMANN & CO. PHILA. PA. - 23mm
 

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Those are some great new backmarks and variations Tony and great pictures. :icon_thumright: Ill update the list when I get time. I have been busy working in the Everglades for FWC where I dont have internet and I only get into town once a week at the most to pick up supplies.
 

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CUMNER JONES & CO. BOSTON 7/8"
 

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BERNHARD.SHRAG & CO. N.Y.
 

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