Incredibly Rare Dragoon Militia/Special Order Regiment Button 1790-1812

[oxbowbarefoot]

Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, hope you've all been well. Yesterday, I found this 20mm flat eagle button. The closest match I can find are some Diplomatic Service buttons from the early 1800's. Has anyone seen this one before? The back mark reads: Double Gilt. Any input is appreciated!



Update: Through personal correspondence with several advanced collectors, it appears I can narrow the field to two theories: one is that it is an early 1790's-1812 Dragoon Militia button. The other theory is that is a special order button from a small regiment. I was told of one more coat button sized example dug in VA and of a cuff button size one dug in SC. I was also shown a picture of a similar coat sized button. It's possible that the one I was shown is the same one as the coat button one from VA I was told about. So it appears it's not a unknown button, but it remains undescribed. Still, with only 3 or 4 examples that I've heard about and only one other example photographed, I think this is my rarest button yet.

[Scrappy]

I definitely think it's a beautiful button. I wish I was at home with my books, but as it is I'm of no help. But I will say that's one awesome button. Like you said - looks like very early 1800's

Cheers in the find

[OutdoorAdv]

Killer button man and GREAT to see ya back on here Perhaps a variation of Alberts OD5 or OD6-A George Washington Inaugural Buttons ? 1790?s to 1820?sU.S. Federal OfficialDiplomatic Service Army * Navy However neither are cast like yours. My avatar picture is what I believe to be a Diplomatic Service button variation of OD7 that is not in any books... I dug it a few months ago at a cellar. Glad to see you're stilling getting out man.

Edit: look at the first 8 buttons or so in the link above.

[trapperart]

No help here but someone will know congrats

[oxbowbarefoot]

Killer button man and GREAT to see ya back on here Perhaps a variation of Alberts OD5 or OD6-A George Washington Inaugural Buttons ? 1790?s to 1820?sU.S. Federal OfficialDiplomatic Service Army * Navy However neither are cast like yours. My avatar picture is what I believe to be a Diplomatic Service button variation of OD7 that is not in any books... I dug it a few months ago at a cellar. Glad to see you're stilling getting out man.

Edit: look at the first 8 buttons or so in the link above.

Thank you, those pictures were the ones that led me to believe this is a diplomatic button. A Washington would be great, and that was my first thought when it came out of the dirt. I didn't see it in Don T's book, maybe in Albert's?

[OutdoorAdv]

Actually, it looks like OD5-B is cast with a similar pointed shield and eagle, but the "e. pluribus unum" ribbon is more like OD6-A. Yours has something else above the ribbon too that I cant tell what it is.

[OutdoorAdv]

Thank you, those pictures were the ones that led me to believe this is a diplomatic button. A Washington would be great, and that was my first thought when it came out of the dirt. I didn't see it in Don T's book, maybe in Albert's?

I wont have my Albert's book in front of me until later this evening, but perhaps its in there. The GW Inaugural site has great photos of a few choice buttons... the Albert's book could very well have yours listed.

[oxbowbarefoot]

Actually, it looks like OD5-B is cast with a similar pointed shield and eagle, but the "e. pluribus unum" ribbon is more like OD6-A. Yours has something else above the ribbon too that I cant tell what it is.

Have you seen any with the horseback rider at the top?

[OutdoorAdv]

Have you seen any with the horseback rider at the top?

Ahh... so its a horseback rider up there above the ribbon... I can see what he is now! I don't know of any off the top of my head, but when I get home this evening I will take a look.

[Metal Magnet]

Ahh... so its a horseback rider up there above the ribbon... I can see what he is now! I don't know of any off the top of my head, but when I get home this evening I will take a look.

wow, exciting find! im interested to see what this ends up being. in pretty amazing shape.

[oxbowbarefoot]

This might be a little better.

[oxbowbarefoot]

This might be a little better.

[btjbtj]

Outdoor, hurry home--we're waiting in anticipation! ;-). Oxbow, congrats on this wonderful button! -Lisa & John

[Ahab8]

Wow that's a killer button buddy! I will check my Alberts book when I get home. Excited to see what this may be

[romeo-1]

I don't know exactly what it is but i do know that it's a killer button!