Some very old American buttons

[Paul L Murphy]

These two beauties both date back to the Civil War period. The first is a cavalry officer's tunic button made by Jennins & Co London.

The next one up is 2 cms wide and has no maker mark on the reverse, but is also London made. Were these worn by staff officers since they lack the letter on the shield ?

Stay tuned for some more old buttons from a lot which I recently purchased.

Edited December 8, 2007 by Paul L Murphy

[The Saint]

The second button is a GS button worn by all enlisted soldiers starting from 1854. The Staff button had a raised border.

Edited January 10, 2008 by The Saint

[Paul L Murphy]

The second button is a GS button worn by all enlisted soldiers starting from 1854. The Staff button had a raised border.

I read elsewhere that it could be a 1902 pattern officer's button. Do you know waht are the differences between them and the 1854 GS button ?

Paul

[The Saint]

I'm not a button expert, but I think the design of the 1902 button is different, quite similar to the later WW1 button but rimless. I must check that in my books.

Eric

[Guest Rick Research]

I'm surprised to see British-made U.S. buttons, since around here, Waterbury, Connecticut was the metal button capital of the world in the 19th century.