Need Date for Eagle "I" Button

[Driftwoood]

Hi all! I found this recently and would like to know if this was manufactured before the Civil War or during... from what I could find, it looks like mid-late 1840's, but I don't know. I hope the photo is clear enough... it says 'HORSTNANN SONS & DRUCKER NY' and looks like it may have been silver washed. I found it next to another matching button, but with a different backmark.

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

According to the button backmark-dating book by McGuinn & Bazelon, the firm of Horstmann Sons & Drucker was in business from 1845 through 1849. When the elder Horstmann died in 1850, the firm was dissolved. It was then replaced by Horstmann Brothers & Allien.

 

[Driftwoood]

Thanks, TheCannonballGuy! I appreciate the response... it does confirm what I saw around. It's hard to get a straight answer just by 'Googling' around, as there seems to be some conflicting info out there. I do really need to get a good book... when funds allow. Thanks again!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

You're welcome. The title of the button backmark-dating book by McGuinn & Bazelon is "American Military Button Makers And Dealers; Their Backmarks & Dates". It sells for $25 to $30 at civil war relic shows and shops. You can find it by websearching (usually at civil war relic dealer websites)... but don't pay more than $35 for it. The book sometimes shows up for sale on Ebay. There have been several editions, each an update of the previous one. The newest edition has a "butternut" colored cover.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I hope TCG will chime in here but according to General Order number 1A dated January 20, 1854 "The same button (a spread eagle with shield) will be used for all corps, to wit: that now used for the Infantry, omitting the I on the shield." So, any button made after that date will not have a letter designation on it. That means your "I" button front was made before that date. Was it used during the civil war? Maybe and probably. The military didn't discard all the old buttons when the order was issued. They replaced them as need be and even used up existing stock of the lettered buttons until the supply was exhausted.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

My input being requested:
That 1854 order applies only to US Army Enlisted-men's uniform buttons. Buttons for army field-grade officers (Lieutenant, Captain, Major) continued to have the initial-letter for their branch of service in the shield. For example, "eagle-A" buttons for artillery officers, and "eagle-I" buttons for infantry officers, etc, etc. Officers' buttons continued to have the branch-of-service initial in the shield all the way up to 1902, when the old "eagle buttons" were replaced by the "Great Seal" buttons.