Who knows buttons?

[nhbenz]

I love the puzzle of figuring out other folks' finds, but heres some of my own I can't figure out. Looking for date & ID. These aren't dug (at least not in my lifetime). The first batch I'm pretty sure are railroad buttons, but there were several B&A railroads, from what I could find... but to which do these belong? They are marked Scovill MF'G Co. Waterbury. The second batch, with photos of front and back, has two (what I believe to be) civil war general service buttons on top (if they're anything better let me know). The one on the left is marked Horstmann, Philadelphia. The one on the right is marked Scovill MFG Co, Waterbury. On the bottom are what I suspect are civilian post-war buttons, but I'd like to be sure. The two on the left have no markings. The next is marked B&S MFG. Co. The one on the right is marked Superior Quality.

 

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[Nana40]

OK Ben....you been in your Granny's button jar?

Just kiddin! Those are some great buttons!

 

[nhbenz]

Dang, don't tell my mom!

 

[Nana40]

 

[PBK]

The "B & A" buttons are from the Boston & Albany Railroad, and their Scovill backmark dates them c. 1907.
Source: Transportation Uniform Buttons, Vol. I - Railroads by Donald P. Van Court.

 

[nhbenz]

Thanks PBK!

 

[rvbvetter]

Your right. The Horstmann button top left was a union general service button from the civil war. The button was actually made by Scovill for Horstmann. Horstmann was just a distributer and actually supplied buttons to the yanks and rebs at the same time. The top right one was another version of an eagle button and of the same period. Notice how the eagle on the right looks like a body builder compared to the Horstmann eagle.
The button on the bottom, 2nd from the right is a Marine button. Some may say their Navy or drooped wing buttons, but their not. I can't remember for sure but I think their post civil war late 19 th century.
The rest I don't really know. The reason I know on the ones I mentioned was because this past summer I dug 3 of your Horstmann buttons and while ID ing them, came across the ID's of your other 2 buttons.
Curious. On your Horstmann button, does it say Philidelphia or Philida.
There was both versions made. The buttons were Identical, the spelling of Philidelphia was the only difference.
PS: After looking at it again. The button on the bottom, 2nd from left, is also a Marine button. About the same period as the other Marine button. HH

 

[nhbenz]

Thanks. The Horstmann has the whole name Philidelphia on the back. The one on the bottom, 2nd from left, anyone know how long this type of fastener was used? I'd never seen it on a military button.

 

[rvbvetter]

I don't know how long that type of loop was used. But I also dug a flower button with the same loop as yours and mine is of approx. the same time period as my eagle buttons.. The latter 1800's HH

 

[southbound]

They are in extremely good shape to be so old. Great find! Vern

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I have to diagree about the Horstmann button at top left being civil-war period. It appears to be the "Indian Wars" version (used approximately 1875 to 1902). Check the Albert button book, for button GI 98. The one at top right is the civil-war issue type (GI 94).
Regards,
TheCannonballGuy

 

[nhbenz]

Cannonball, Thanks for the info and welcome to the site! I have to get more reference books, but my interests vary so much I wouldn't have room for them all. Thanks again. -Ben

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I'm glad the info was helpful to you, Ben.

And thank you for the welcome. : ) I just found this forum today ...while doing some research to answer an ID-question I saw over at findmall.com. : )

Regards,
TheCannonballGuy