How old are these Buttons ?

[TommNJ]

I picked these buttons up at a fleamarket, all in one bag for $5, I don't think their that old but how old are they ? Also I'm not sure what "UAL" stands for? Thanks in advance.

(A) NG STATE ARSENAL PENNA.
(B) N.S. MEYERS NEW YORK
(C) US NR WATERBURY BUTTON CO. WATERBURY CT.
(D) UAL EXTRA FEIN
(E) US ARMY AMERICAN BUTTON CO. NEW YORK

Tom

 

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[taz42o]

S.N. meyers 1890 -1925... never mind wrong meyer

 

[taz42o]

American button co. 1901-1920

 

[taz42o]

waterbury button co, 1849-1965

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nice collection of buttons. I think you got a good deal. Many of them appear to be early 20th century and I cannot find a good link or source. The US Naval Reserve button is still made by Waterbury but may have a different backmark today. http://www.waterburybutton.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=19758#details The USNavy eagle and anchor is also still made today. The Great Seal buttons are post 1902 General Service.

Can you give away your source taz? I have been trying to find a good database for "modern" button backmarks without much success.

 

[taz42o]

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

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

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

OK thanks. I have that link but so many manufacturers are not listed there. I also found it to be unreliable dating the Scovills. I have a bag of great seal buttons with the backmark SCOVILL Mf''g Co. WATURBURY which they have as 1850-1865, but it cannot be possible as all Great Seal buttons are post 1902.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Waterbury makes a UAL United AirLines but it cant be with the anchor. http://www.waterburybutton.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=20305

NG may be Pennsylvania National Guard.

 

[taz42o]

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

OK thanks. I have that link but so many manufacturers are not listed there. I also found it to be unreliable dating the Scovills. I have a bag of great seal buttons with the backmark SCOVILL Mf''g Co. WATURBURY which they have as 1850-1865, but it cannot be possible as all Great Seal buttons are post 1902.

I think it should read 1850- 1965 . There is scovill Co. time line at this link.

http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_companies_scovill.htm

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

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

OK thanks. I have that link but so many manufacturers are not listed there. I also found it to be unreliable dating the Scovills. I have a bag of great seal buttons with the backmark SCOVILL Mf''g Co. WATURBURY which they have as 1850-1865, but it cannot be possible as all Great Seal buttons are post 1902.

I think it should read 1850- 1965 . There is scovill Co. time line at this link.

http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_companies_scovill.htm

OK great thanks taz. Maybe its just a typo. Someone should tell them.

 

[TommNJ]

Thank you taz42o and bigcypresshunter for the information on the buttons. Some day I'll get a good book on buttons. I imagine their all about the same age/ time period

I take it the "B" buttons are post civil war civilian buttons ?

Thanks again for your help ,
Tom

 

[tomted62]

S.N. meyers 1890 -1925... never mind wrong meyer

I'm thinking that you're right on the name. I think it's a misprint in Albert's and alot of other sites copied the info.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thank you taz42o and bigcypresshunter for the information on the buttons. Some day I'll get a good book on buttons. I imagine their all about the same age/ time period

I take it the "B" buttons are post civil war civilian buttons ?

Thanks again for your help ,
Tom

I believe they are US Navy. It appears that nobody has a good link or book on 20th century button backmarks. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,209855.0.html

 

[trikikiwi]

I suggest this is the origin of your UAL button

United American Lines (American Shipping and Commercial Corp.), New York (1920-26)
This large shipping company was essentially the plaything of the W. Averell Harriman, son of E. H. Harriman of the Union Pacific Railroad, whose name will be familiar to fans of the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." It was financed by Averell's mother as a way for him to make his mark in business independent of his father--an interesting concept when Mom's providing all the cash! Harriman's timing wasn't the best, as he entered the passenger shipping business just when immigration laws were tightened, ending the great flow of immigrants of the previous 40-50 years. He also got taken to the cleaners in a joint venture with the German firm HAPAG, which was determined to recover from the German defeat in the first World War, and whose owners had vastly more experience in the shipping business than young Averell. Several million of his mother's dollars later, Harriman sold what was left of UAL to HAPAG. He learned from the bitter experience of UAL, however, and subsequently enjoyed considerable success in international trade, although he did not go back into shipping. He later entered politics and diplomacy, becoming governor of New York and later U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam. He is best remembered today as the last husband of the socialite, Democratic Party fundraiser, and U.S. ambassador to Paris, Pamela Harriman. His choice in flags was unfortunately less adventurous than his choice of brides: the white letters UAL on a blue field.
Source: verbal description in North Atlantic Seaway IV:1502)

half way down page
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us~hfu.html

Mike

 

[TommNJ]

Cool, thanks for the information and link on the UAL buttons Mike !

Tom

 

[trikikiwi]

Cool, thanks for the information and link on the UAL buttons Mike !

Tom

Tom, Thank You for the opportunity to have the pleasure of another interesting search.
Cheers, Mike

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think the only buttons left to ID are the NG buttons on the left with the horse and keystone emblem. My guess is Pa. National Guard but I couldnt find a match.

 

[TommNJ]

That was my first assumption on those buttons, thanks.

Tom