Uniform button?

[cudamark]

Anyone know what this button might have come on? I'm thinking a uniform of some sort, but, that's just my WAG. With Eureka being on the front, I assume it has a California tie in some way. It measures 23mm and has Pettibone Mf'g Co. Cincinnati on the back.

 

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[Retired Sarge]

Civil War era California Staff Button.

ETA: Nice reference for it, 3rd button down.

Button backmarks, "Extra Quality", by Waterbury Button Co.

 

[cudamark]

Thanks, that sure looks like the front of mine. The one you reference is only 15mm however and the maker on the back is different. Do you see a listing for the Pettibone 23mm version? I assume it's the same years and applications, but,

 

[nhbenz]

The Pettibone backmark dates it 1872 at the earliest, all the way up to 1975.

 

[Hawks88]

Nice button.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Pettibone did not make buttons so yours was probably made by one of the major button making companies. It very closely resembles the first type made by the Scovill Mfg co. later styles were different. Here is a little more information:

James H. Pettibone was a clerk with John Boner from 1864 to 1871. He took over the business in 1872 and was listed as an importer & dealer in fancy goods and toys. In 1873, listing included military trimmings. Later listings included society, fancy goods, theatrical & regalia trimmings and band goods. The firm did not make buttons. It lasted to 1975.

"Pettibone Mfg. Co./Cincinnati" (B/M is on all different post-CW state seal and US buttons.)

 

[cudamark]

So, my button seems to be made after the civil war, unlike the link by ffuries would indicate? I wonder how many years Pettibone contracted for these buttons to be made? Are they military like the earlier Waterbury buttons? Ca. National Guard? Militia? Other?

 

[fyrffytr1]

The button ffuries referred to is not the same as your button. The spear tip on yours goes through the E in Eureka. FFuries doesn't. State seal buttons could have been worn by a government official or a military one. It is definitely post Civil war.