Military buttons

[rickbrk]

I have 3 buttons. I've looked on li e and I'm having trouble finding the exact back marks to help date them. They were all found in the same place on different hunts.


First one has the back mark: . Horstmann & bros. C.o. phila.


Second one just has Horstmann Phila


Third one has: Waterbury Manufacturing co.

 

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[Retired Fire]

I just found one like your two bottom photos. It was determined mine was An Indian Wars or even more likely Spanish American War. I am betting yours are too. As for your first photo, I am not sure. Here is a photo of mine.

 

[fyrffytr1]

The last two are post civil war but I think the first one is older, dating as early as 1854. Notice the raised shield on the last two as compared to a flatter one on the first. Other notable differences are the shape of the eagles head and neck and the contour of the wings.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Fyrffytr1 is correct, your button #2 and #3 are post-civil-war. More specifically, going by what you say the backmarks are:
Button #1:
Horstmann Bros. & Co. Phila. is 1870-93. Because the emblem on the front of your button was changed somewhat in 1874 your button #1 dates from 1870-74.
Button #2:
It has the 1875-1902 emblem, and its simple "Horstmann Phila." backmark dates from 1870-93, so your button #2 is from 1875-1902.
Button #3:
It has the 1875-1902 emblem, and the Waterbury Manufacturing Co. dates from 1876 into an unknown year, so your button #3 dates from 1876 to possibly as late as 1902.