✅ SOLVED Small Eagle Button, Authentic Or Fashion?

[Natman]

Hi all,


I found the front part of a military-style button today, but it's smaller than any real ones I've found in the past, only s wide as a penny. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

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[Hvactech19]

Looks like some buttons I found in an estate

Not sure of age or maker.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Natman, your button and Hvactech19's buttons are definitely civilian "Fashion" buttons, not uniform buttons. The four key ID-clues are:
the rope encircling the emblem does not pass through the ring on the anchor's top,
eagle has a "pot-belly,"
eagle has rounded-top wings instead of pointy-top wings, and
the valley between the eagle's wings and neck is U-shaped instead of V-shaped. Compare those 4 characteristics with the genuine US Navy button in the photo below.

Also, the only actual US Navy button that had an iron back is an 1850s-90s hat chinstrap button... whose 14mm diameter is even smaller than a cuff-size button.

 

[Natman]

Thanks for the input!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Natman, you're welcome.

I should mention another important ID-clue for these civilian-usage imitation US Navy buttons. On them, the upper edge of the eagle's wings has a "raised rim"... not seen on any actual US Navy buttons.