Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help IDing 2 Eagle Buttons

coinshooterpa

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Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

I got up to the cabin this past weekend a got to hit a couple spots. I got a 1863 indian, a toasted V nickel, a couple flat buttons, and 2 eagle buttons that I would like more info on. The first in a Robinson, Jones & co. gold infantry button which dates from 1828-36, the second is a Steele & Johnson eagle button which dates from 1858-75. Any other info on these buttons would be appreciated.
 

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West Jersey Detecting

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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

It looks to me like an "R" on that button, which would make it a Mounted Rifleman button. It is hard to tell by your photos.

I found a Steele & Johnson Infantry button back in March. I am told they are scarce back back marks. Nice digs!
 

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coinshooterpa

coinshooterpa

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Aug 19, 2007
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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

Sorry, the pics aren't the best...It is definately an "I" on the shield....Thanks for the reply
 

fortbball9

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Aug 26, 2008
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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

I don't know what else you want to know.I think you have got all the details.The only thing that I
can tell you is that the second Eagle Button is a General Staff Union Button,I would also say it is CW
Era.I would also say that most likely my guess the first Eagle Union Infantry Button would be of CW Era
also.Check this site out for some prices.Congrats on some very nice finds :thumbsup:

http://www.civilwarbuttons.com/cwcol.htm

I would say the pics are fine it is just a little gold gilt on each side of the "I" that make it look like a "R"

fortbball9
 

West Jersey Detecting

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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

OK here is some more detailed info on your buttons.

Beginning with the second. It looks like your back mark is "& STEELE. & JOHNSON.", with a depressed back mark. If it is a high convex button (it is hard to tell from the pics) , then according to Warren K. Tice's Uniform Buttons of the United States 1776-1865 yours is a General Staff button made during the 1850's & 1860's. The catalog number is GS230 (Albert's GS16) A 2.

The second is a one piece Infantry (sorry about my first post; try to use macro mode in natural light for crisp clear photos) "ROBINSON, JONES & Co/ *A*" is a raised mark button 1821-1840's. All of these buttons were silver plated. On your button the plating has possibly discolored & worn off. The catalog number is GI200 (Albert's GI79) A 3. This button is interesting because, according to Tice, both northern and southern militia serving during the early months of the Civil War must have used them since they are occasionally unearthed at Civil War campsites.
 

STH69

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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

Nice digs :thumbsup:
 

crazyjarhead

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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

Nice button finds with some of the guilding still on it. I'd say CW on both, but I am no expert on buttons.
 

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coinshooterpa

coinshooterpa

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Aug 19, 2007
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South Central Pennsylvania
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Re: Found a Fat Indian, a V and need help ID'ing 2 Eagle Buttons

Neil, thanks for the additional research and information you got for me...I'll have to pick up the Tice button book...It's amazing that a button made into the early 1840's would have been used 20 years later in the Civil War...Thanks again
 

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