✅ SOLVED Steele & Johnson Great Seal Button -- question?

creskol

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Jan 14, 2007
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I am working on an old house repairing storm damage where a big tree fell on the house. Yesterday, while setting new rafters in the attic, I found a Steele & Johnson Great Seal button that is made entirely of copper. I have seen copper faces with brass backs before, but this is the first solid copper one I have seen. It is shiny front and back, and has no Japanning on it like I have seen on other buttons. I will try to get a photo posted once I find my camera.

Has anybody here seen a button like I have described and iff so, any information about it?
 

Looking forward to seeing a pic when you find your camera buddy. :thumbsup:
Best of luck with your renovations following the tree damage.

Dave

"Steele & Johnson, Waterbury, CT. Composed of Elisha Steele & Joseph G. Johnson. Steele & Johnson Button Company manufactured buttons from 1858-1875, then became Steele & Johnson Mfg. Co., from 1875 and lasted to c. 1920. In 1902, the US Army issued an order that made all previous U.S. Army, state militia, and all separate army organizations obsolete: "One style for all arms and all grades, private to Lt. General. The only exception is the Engineer Corps, who are to retain their present design. Bronze for service and gilt for dress. The design is a copy of the great seal of the U.S." Any buttons of this design were made 1902 or later, irrespective of what the back mark may imply. Steele & Johnson went belly up immediately following WWI."
 

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Here is a photo of the button:
 

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Never mind .. I found the answer I was looking for.
 

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