USM eagle button

[groundswiper]

Hello all, found this button in Maine, I can't figure out if it is military or not. Any help would be appreciated. It is an eagle holding a flag in each talon,13 stars around the edge,and USM under the eagle. the back is very fragile and corroded, on the left side are the letters"____on Co" and on the other side are the letters "____& HAVRE" at least i think that's what they are Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking and Happy Hunting

 

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[Kodiak43351]

It defiantly a military button looks to be civil war or later someone will come along and id it for you.

 

[groundswiper]

anyone??

 

[nhbenz]

I'm wondering if it might say "Le HAVRE" (in France), with an L instead of &, and the E in Le being a small capital E.

 

[Dug]

I would take a look at colleges/universities/military academies. When I Yahoo search USM, one of the hits I get is University of Southern Maine who uses USM as their designator.

Looking through Albert's button book, I'm not seeing any US military buttons with that design.

 

[nhbenz]

USM Steamship Company perhaps? The button in this link looks nothing like yours, except the "U.S.M."
Early Civil War U.S.M. shield Steamship uniform button

 

[groundswiper]

USM Steamship Company perhaps? The button in this link looks nothing like yours, except the "U.S.M."
Early Civil War U.S.M. shield Steamship uniform button

Thank you! that's a good lead,i'm gonna research US Mail buttons now......

 

[Kodiak43351]

The style and two piece design keeps me thinking civ war era. I hope it is. It's a good find.

 

[Dug]

You also might consider contacting Daniel Binder (word search internet) he is quite an authority on buttons and may be able to help.