Button Help! - SOLVED Thanks to you Gurus!

[Indiana Digger]

These are from a site I've been digging for the past 3 weeks.
The era of this site is 1800-1870.
I can't make out the backmarks.
Any ideas on date & manufacturer?

Thanks!


~Indiana Digger~

 

[Breezie]

Re: Button Help!

Can you make a closer pic of the back so we can try to read it? Interesting find, Breezie

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Button Help!

I was thinking maybe I saw a "K" on the first one and I had dug an "Ives Kendrick" button before so I found the pic of the back to show you. And when I looked the other one I found with it looks like the back of the other button you found so I'm putting it here to show you. Maybe 1820s-50s?

But like Breezie said - closer pics would probably help us out.

 

[Indiana Digger]

Re: Button Help!

Thanks folks - here's a better picture!

Thanks for the help!!!





~Indiana Digger~

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Button Help!

looks like "EXT" maybe extra.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: Button Help!

I have several latter-1700s-to-1830s cast brass 1-piece buttons which are very similar to that one. I am reasonably sure the lettering on the lower half does say "Extra". There's a very good possibility that the manufacturing-company's name -- or at least, its initials -- is written above the word "extra". Perhaps the button's back could withstand some further cleaning and would then reveal whatever lettering is at its top. Or, perhaps one of the forum's Photoshop-Masters could highlight the photo to bring out all the lettering.

 

[Indiana Digger]

Re: Button Help!

Extra picks pf the back -

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: Button Help!

The additional photos and additional cleaning are helpful. Thanks.

1- In the area at each end of the word "extra" (let's call it 8-to-10-o'clock and 2-to-4-o'clock), I can see several patterns of four raised dots that form a cross.
2- In the middle of the area above the word "extra" (let's call it 12-o'clock), I can see an ampersand symbol (a &, now known as the "at" sign).
3- One of the letters on each side of the "&" might be a "B".

One of the few "prolific" American button-makers in the era of your button was the firm of Benedict & Burnham, in business from 1834-to1843. Previously, from 1829-to-1834, its name was Benedict & Coe.
1- Benedict produced large quanitities of your "type" of button.
2- Benedict typically used a raised-letters backmark on those buttons.
3- Some of Benedict's backmarks are known to have included the "pattern of four dots which form a cross." (See info in the McGuinn-&-Bazelon backmark-book.)
4- That book lists a "B & B / Extra" (in raised-letters) backmark among Benedict & Burnham's backmarks.

So, although the letters on each side of the "&" symbol on your buttons are not clear enough for absolute certainty of ID, I would say "the odds favor" your button being a Benedict product, made sometime between 1829 and the very-late 1830s (after which time, these 1-piece cast brass civilian-clothing Fashion buttons were replaced by cheaply priced 2-piece stamped brass buttons).

 

[timekiller]

Re: Button Help!

Here's the closes one I have to yours.It says Extra Gold Colour.And early 1800's say like 1820ish would go well.But not sure of your backmark but there was many marks on buttons like this (just words changed up or added) of this era.
Take Care,
Pete,

 

[timekiller]

Re: Button Help!

Here's what I see of yours.

 

[timekiller]

Re: Button Help!

You can scroll down here & see some of the other back marks but not all bye no means cause I've got alot thats not even on the site.
http://silversimon.piczo.com/?g=39870591&vsrc=search_google&cr=2


I've always liked this one I found for a classie back mark.

 

[timekiller]

Re: Button Help!

The additional photos and additional cleaning are helpful. Thanks.

1- In the area at each end of the word "extra" (let's call it 8-to-10-o'clock and 2-to-4-o'clock), I can see several patterns of four raised dots that form a cross.
2- In the middle of the area above the word "extra" (let's call it 12-o'clock), I can see an ampersand symbol (a &, now known as the "at" sign).
3- One of the letters on each side of the "&" might be a "B".

One of the few "prolific" American button-makers in the era of your button was the firm of Benedict & Burnham, in business from 1834-to1843. Previously, from 1829-to-1834, its name was Benedict & Coe.
1- Benedict produced large quanitities of your "type" of button.
2- Benedict typically used a raised-letters backmark on those buttons.
3- Some of Benedict's backmarks are known to have included the "pattern of four dots which form a cross." (See info in the McGuinn-&-Bazelon backmark-book.)
4- That book lists a "B & B / Extra" (in raised-letters) backmark among Benedict & Burnham's backmarks.

So, although the letters on each side of the "&" symbol on your buttons are not clear enough for absolute certainty of ID, I would say "the odds favor" your button being a Benedict product, made sometime between 1829 and the very-late 1830s (after which time, these 1-piece cast brass civilian-clothing Fashion buttons were replaced by cheaply priced 2-piece stamped brass buttons).

I'm guessing this would be one of his earliest (1812-1823)

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: Button Help!

According to the McGuinn-&-Bazelon book's info on Aaron Benedict, your guess of 1812-1823 is "close" -- but too early. The book says Aaron Benedict was making pewter buttons in 1812. Then in 1823, he joined with some partners in a firm to manufacture brass buttons. Those brass buttons, bearing the backmark "A. Benedict" (as seen on your brass button) date from 1823-to-1829.

 

[timekiller]

Re: Button Help!

According to the McGuinn-&-Bazelon book's info on Aaron Benedict, your guess of 1812-1823 is "close" -- but too early. The book says Aaron Benedict was making pewter buttons in 1812. Then in 1823, he joined with some partners in a firm to manufacture brass buttons. Those brass buttons, bearing the backmark "A. Benedict" (as seen on your brass button) date from 1823-to-1829.

Thanks CannonballGuy, I don't have no book just use where I find them at & what's with them to date most of the time.And internet the other. But you can get a feel for things just by how they are made.Just like buckles, buttons tend to get made of lighter material the futher up in date.
Take Care,
Pete,

 

[Indiana Digger]

Re: Button Help!

Thanks to all for the great information - it is much appreciated. I am calling this one - "SOLVED". Thanks again!

 

[timekiller]

Just wanted to give you this site also seems how it go's with Cannonballsguy's post putting the button style into the 1840's.
http://www.greybirdrelics.com/Buttons.htm
Item # BN398JAJJ
Take Care,
Pete,