Great Seal Button Word War I or World War II?

[Old Pueblo]

Found this old button. From what I've found online, this type of button has been in use since 1903. The back says "Waterbury Button Co. * Conn. *" and according to some folks online this same exact button was in use during World War I, while others say World War II (Who knows, maybe it was used during both?). Ive seen other Great Seal Buttons from WW1 that look just like this (the eagle on front and with the same text on the back) and others that appear to be a little different (Eagle looks a little different), but that could just be wear.

Anyway, I am curious to hear anyone elses opinion on when this button comes from. Also keep in mind that I found this button in an area where Ive also found a 1903 Springfield bullet casing dated 1917 and have seen many other relics from the same time period in the area.

Let me know what you think, anybody.

Thanks

 

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[fyrffytr1]

If it were WWI it would have black on it. The Great Seal button was introduced in 1902. The rim like yours has was added in 1910. Buttons were black or gilt from 1910-1917, black only from 1917-1923 and gilt thereafter. I think it would be safe to say your button could date between 1910-1917 and 1923-1965. There is an excellent thread on this site about the Great Seal backmarks. Here's a link to it: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/112828-great-seal-button-backmarks-help.html

 

[Old Pueblo]

That is some great information. I knew somebody had to know the specifics on when these things were made. Thank you very much.

 

[Old Pueblo]

I think it must have been black, since there doesnt appear to be any trace of gilt anywhere. Or maybe it was gilt and that wore off. I dont know. Im thinking its early though, due to other World War I era relics found in the area.



Here are some better shots.

 

[Old Pueblo]

Found near Vail AZ. The first pics say Esmond Station for some reason, I must have put that in there by mistake.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

According to the company's website, the Waterbury Button Company changed its name to Waterbury Companies (plural) sometime during 1943, so your button's backmark saying Co. instead of Cos. tells you it is no younger than 1943.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

As to a "1903 Springfield bullet casing dated 1917" I just want to point out that while military ammunition is dated, those dates don't necessarily correspond to the date the bullet was fired, so outside of battle fields or training areas they aren't really all that good as a dating tool. I can't find production numbers off hand, but millions of rounds of 30-06 were made in 1917 as the US joined in WW1. Not all of that ammunition was shipped overseas and a lot of it was surplused out after the war, or found it's way into civilian hands through whatever means. At the beginning of the Korean War they were still being issued WW2 dated ammo, and I bought and shot WW2 era 30-06 in the 1990's and if someone were to dig in that particular spot in that corn field they would likely find a lot of 1943 dated cartridges and possibly some 03A3 stripper clips (I had a P-17 Enfield but the stripper clips are the same) and a couple M1 Garand clips as well. Trying to date the site by the cartridges would be 50 years off even though the relics would all share that common age. Just something to consider when you dig military cartridge casings.

 

[Old Pueblo]

Yes, Im aware of all that. Thanks anyway Oh, and I dont dig anything. Everything I find is found on the surface. And by World War I era I just mean the 1910s or so. Obviously the bullet wasnt fired in Europe, but there were US troops all over southern Arizona in the 1910s, protecting border towns, mining camps and our railroads in between. And using other relics or artifacts found in the immediate area to date another artifact is a very reliable way of determining the age of things that are not dated or were made the same for many years. In this case, I have found other ammunition in the immediate area dating from the 1880s to the 1930s, including other military stuff. Ive also found old coins and token, and insulators, as well as broken bottles and tin cans and RR date nails, and old Indian trade pottery sherds (Old time pottery trade ended c.1930) that also date to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also, knowing this areas history, I know the place was at its peak of activity in the early 1900s, around the time of World War I. Putting that all together with the info I have been provided here, I think its fairly certain that this button is of a pre World War II design, dating from 1910 to 1943.

 

[Old Pueblo]

Thats good info too, thank you.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Yes, Im aware of all that. Thanks anyway Oh, and I dont dig anything. Everything I find is found on the surface.

I figured you would be, just wanted to put that out there for people who might not be familiar with military ammunition and relics

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think it must have been black, since there doesnt appear to be any trace of gilt anywhere. Or maybe it was gilt and that wore off. I dont know. Im thinking its early though, due to other World War I era relics found in the area.

View attachment 1427373View attachment 1427374

Here are some better shots.

There would be traces of the black on it if it were. I forgot to say that it could also have been just bronze.