Spherical Shaped Button

[Keith123]

Found this sphere shaped button today. Looks old judging by the shank. Approx 17mm in diameter and hollow (can hear something shaking around inside). Any help with identifying type, what it was used for, and age would be greatly appreciated!

 

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[d2]

They're called ball buttons and the only one's I have found were in Civil War camps. I think they are pretty old and they were used on clothes or uniforms as conventional ones are today. That is nice...d2

 

[fyrffytr1]

I have found them at home sites dating to the mid 1800s. It is hard to determine if they are military or civilian because they were basically the same construction and didn't have hardly any identifying marks on them.

 

[sutphin]

FINE LOOKING BALL BUTTON ....NICE FIND .

 

[duggap]

I agree with you, I have always been told they were civilian before they became military. At least one NY unit I know of had ball buttons on their uniforms. I have an equal number from military sites and civilian sites.