Marine Corps Pin and Leavenworth & Co. Staff Officer Button

[bonepicker]

Went out today and did a little digging. Ended up with a Neat Marine Corps Pin and a US Staff Officer button.

Guessing the Marine Corps Pin is Early 20th century.
I have never dug one these. Any ideas on age?


Wasn't really expecting to dig this one. It was just north of where I dug a 1850's US artillery cuff a couple years ago.
Having a little trouble dating the backmark. My Tices book says Leavenworth & Co. was used late 1830's-40's. Any ideas on this backmark.
I believe it says Leavenworth & Co. Superfine.

 

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[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[holepuncher]

Does it have a screw on the back side, looks like the ones on the collar (both sides)

 

[bonepicker]

Does it have a screw on the back side, looks like the ones on the collar (both sides)

It had a threaded attachment on the back with a disk, but it broke off when I was retrieving it from the ground.

 

[A2coins]

That's sweeeeet great finds !!!!!!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice finds, congratulations!

 

[holepuncher]

It had a threaded attachment on the back with a disk, but it broke off when I was retrieving it from the ground.

We were wearing those when I got out in 85 not sure when they started wearing them.

 

[fyrffytr1]

My reference book dates your button from 1839-1849

 

[Whyme]

Congrats! Very cool USMC pin and nice button.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Those are a couple of nice military finds.

 

[holepuncher]

https://www.military.com/marine-corps-birthday/marine-corps-history-emblem-and-seal.html


In 1776, the device consisted of a "foul anchor" of silver or pewter. The foul anchor still forms a part of the emblem today. (A foul anchor is an anchor which has one or more turns of the chain around it). Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834 it was prescribed that a brass eagle be worn on the hat, the eagle to measure 3 ½ inches from wingtip to wingtip. During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed, including "black cockades", "scarlet plumes," and "yellow bands and tassels." In 1859 the origin of the present color scheme for the officer's dress uniform ornaments appeared on an elaborate device of solid white metal and yellow metal. The design included a United States shield, half wreath, a bugle, and the letter "M."

In 1868, Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilin appointed a board "to decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments of the Marine Corps." On 13 November 1868, the board turned in its report. It was approved by the Commandant four days later, and on 19 November 1868 was signed by the Secretary of the Navy.

The emblem recommended by this board consists of a globe (showing the Western Hemisphere) intersected by a foul anchor, and surmounted by a spread eagle. On the emblem itself, the device is topped by a ribbon inscribed with the Latin motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). The uniform ornaments omit the motto ribbon.

The general design of the emblem was probably derived from the British Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel." The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem signifies service in any part of the world. The eagle also indirectly signifies service worldwide, although this may not have been the intention of the designers in 1868. The eagle which they selected for the Marine emblem is a crested eagle, a type found all over the world. On the other hand, the eagle pictured on the great seal and the currency of the United States is the bald eagle, strictly a North American variety. The anchor, whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in 1775, indicates the amphibious nature of Marines' duties. On 22 June 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an Executive Order, which approved the design of an official seal for the United States Marine Corps. The new seal had been designed at the request of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.
The new seal consisted of the traditional Marine Corps emblem in bronze; however, an American bald eagle replaced the crested eagle depicted on the 1868 emblem, and is depicted with wings displayed, standing upon the western hemisphere of the terrestrial globe, and holding in his beak a scroll inscribed with the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) with the hemisphere superimposed on a foul anchor. The seal is displayed on a scarlet background encircled with a Navy blue band edged in a gold rope rim and inscribed "Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps" in gold letters. Coincident with the approval of this seal by the President, the emblem centered on the seal was adopted in 1955 as the official Marine Corps Emblem.


USMC Collar Insignia - Glendale Parade Store