Dug this one piece flat button tonight, looks early and it has an anchor in a shield under the eagles wing. I'm guessing navy and War of 1812? Thoughts?
Definitely early Navy. I can see a couple letters at the bottom of the back picture that I believe may be "GI". It could be a "No.4 Spies/J.M/Treble Gilt" but we would need to see more of the backmark. If it is a Spies it would most likely date between 1827 and 1835.
It looks like J.Mann, which I'm guessing is the J.M. in the information fyrffytr posted?
Online folks say th J.Mann backmark is 1805-1843, but it would be good for someone to confirm that from a reliable book. And the button's exact pattern may narrow the range anyway.
OK. That backmark changes things. While Mann did produce buttons for Spies this backmark dates it to circa 1810. This is according to McGuinn and Bazelons book, "American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their Backmarks and Dates" That is a very nice button.