Horstmann button I.D. help (*thanks all)

[rc2125]

Have found plenty of pictures and info on Horstmann buttons, some that look similar on the front, but none that have "N york & Phil" on the back, only Nyork or NY & Phil, or Phil,etc. Found a few good references online, but not had N york & Phil stamped on the backsides. Some sort of civial war union navy button, best I can tell.

also found this little thing, just smaller than a dime, nothing on the flipside, maybe just some decorative copper?

 

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[creskol]

Re: Horstmann button I.D. help

The backmark would indicate it is from the 1860-1870 period

 

[diggin jimmy hoffa]

Re: Horstmann button I.D. help

Federal Navy Button?

Check your post in the Indiana Finds Forum for the link that I found for it.

Good find Ryan

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: Horstmann button I.D. help

RC2125 wrote:
> Some sort of civial war union navy button, best I can tell. Found a few good references online, but not had N york & Phil stamped on the backsides.

Apparently you don't have a copy of the newest edition (2006) of the button-backmarks book by McGuinn-&-Bazelon ("American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their backmarks & Dates"). On page 57, it lists your US Navy button's exact backmark... "*Horstmann* N.York & Phil". The book says that particular "spelling" of the Horstmann backmark is from the 1850s, and has been seen on US Navy buttons NA-113 and NA-114 (the Alphaeus Albert button-book numbers).

 

[creskol]

Re: Horstmann button I.D. help

RC2125 wrote:
> Some sort of civial war union navy button, best I can tell. Found a few good references online, but not had N york & Phil stamped on the backsides.


Apparently you don't have a copy of the newest edition (2006) of the button-backmarks book by McGuinn-&-Bazelon ("American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their backmarks & Dates"). On page 57, it lists your US Navy button's exact backmark... "*Horstmann* N.York & Phil". The book says that particular "spelling" of the Horstmann backmark is from the 1850s, and has been seen on US Navy buttons NA-113 and NA-114 (the Alphaeus Albert button-book numbers).

That is interesting, because on page (166) Figure 7 it shows it as being 1860-1870

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: Horstmann button I.D. help

Creskol, that is interesting. If my old friend Bill McGuinn was still alive, I'd phonecall him to ask about the contradiction between what his book says on page 57 and page 166. Perhaps I'll be able to check about it by spotting his co-author, Bruce Bazelon, at one of the upcoming civil war relic shows here in VA.