Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info. ----SOLVED

[Bramblefind]

Hi - hoping someone can help provide information on this button found in my sister's yard. Her boyfriend found it while detecting earlier today. The house is circa 1820s (we think). Within minutes of finding the button he found a 1798 large cent (pictured below with the button for comparison's sake - it did not photograph well).

The button is two piece but the back is missing. It is about the same size as the large cent (over 1" in diameter, ~ 29 mm).

Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

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[vayank54]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

It's a 1900's blazer or sport coat button made to look like a navy button

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

Thanks for your response. I was just searching the forum and right before your posted I found this old thread with a button that looked very much like this one - the size isn't noted though - but the response was that it was an actual Navy button.

What indicates that this one is from a sport coat?

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,47282.0.html

 

[vayank54]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

The button is not made as well as a military button would be, does not have good detail and it has that goofy looking eagle on it. That is about the only thing I can tell you except that I know from my personal experience. I know I've said it on here before, but I've been digging for 40 years. Trust me I can tell you without a doubt it's a blazer button.

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

Ok your confidence is convincing The size is throwing me a little b/c it seems that it would be quite a bit larger than a blazer button. Ah well.. too bad the back is missing.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

[vayank54]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

You're Welcome. I remember a buddy of mine found a huge one years ago and we had a little round about whether it was good or not. I think it was about an inch in diameter.

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

Welcome to Treasurenet Bramblefind!

I'll back vayank54 on this one... below are two Waterbury Button Company patterns listed as fashion buttons, not Navy.



I'll reserve comment on the other thread you posted, since PBK is never wrong. Also, this button is why I never try to ID Eagle/Anchor/Stars buttons - because inevitably I'm proved wrong half the time.

IMO it's a fashion button based solely on the rounded and symmetrical wing pattern.

 

[PBK]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

Lord, have mercy... that must have been right after I got my eyes lasered again, for the seventh time.

Since I made the post in the link, maybe it will help if I say that I entirely agree with vayank54. The design is indeed modeled on a U.S. Navy uniform button, but this example certainly appears to be a civilian imitation.

Incidentally, my "pre-WWII" attribution was based on the Order of May 14, 1941, which standardized the design with the eagle's head facing in the opposite direction.

Probably the most obvious difference— and I can't believed I ignored it— is the style of the anchor. The huge ring, plain stock, almost semicircular arms, and lack of a crown (point/tip) are all characteristic of blazer versions, not official Navy issues.

Although laughing along with Jim about his humorous/facetious/preposterous remark that I'm "never wrong," I will say that I hope I'm seldom this wrong! :P

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Navy Button? Large Size - looking for info.

Thanks everyone!

I'm now going to try to abide by the rules and push the right buttons to mark this "solved".

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Hello all. Another clue is the missing back which most likely rusted away. I found a similar blazer button under the clothesline in my backyard. It has a rusted steel back. They make a large version like the one you found. This is the first mistake I have seen in the many years I have been here at TN, proving that PBK is indeed human (not a computer) for those that were wondering. Bottom pic is one of the different all brass USNavy buttons.