Searching for button ID. Please help if you can!

[lordy109]

Found this button while metal detecting in a local park on Saturday. No shank or back, but appears that it was a two piece button. Anchor with rope on lined background, with rope edging. About the size of a dime, maybe a little smaller. I've seen a couple other examples that indicate it could be a Federal Navy Chief Petty Officer button circa 1860's. I know the backmark is important in identification, but since that's not available, I'll have to rely on expertise of others. Another thing that concerns me is that I know most military buttons of that era were brass, but this one sticks to a magnet. If anybody can give me more info about it or point me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it. Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest. I can take better pictures if needed. Thanks!

 

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[DCMatt]

Based on the rusty back I would say this is a fashion blazer button- not military and mid to later 20th C old.

DCMatt

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I'd say a magnet sticks to it because it has an iron back under the dirt/rust concretion on the button's back side.

DC Matt is correct, the general rule is that genuine Navy buttons did not have an iron back, because the back would rust in humid salty ocean air, and thus make a rust-stain on a cloth uniform. However, the 1/2-inch size Navy buttons which were mounted on a hat's leather strap sometimes had an iron back.

Due to the high quality die-work on your button, especially the very prominent rope around the rim, AND it being a hat-strap-size ironback button, I'm leaning toward the possibility that it is an actual US Navy button rather than a civilian Fashion button. That being said, I must puncture your hope that your Chief Petty Officer button is from the 1860s. According to US Navy history, the rank of Chief Petty Officer was first created in 1893. Therefore, all of the Chief Petty Officer buttons shown in the Albert button-book MUST date from after that year. Chief Petty Officer heritage

 

[lordy109]

TheCannonballGuy...thanks very much for your help. Here is where I got the idea that it might be a Chief Petty Officer button (scroll down to first item). The design is virtually identical.

Ridgeway Civil War Archive Buttons from Federal Navy other patterns

But what you're saying makes a lot of sense to me. Just wish I could get a rough idea how old it is.