Button help

[jt101319]

Found this button today in Massachusetts and need some help IDing it

 

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[fyrffytr1]

I am not up on script lettering so I am guessing the first letter is a W. I haven't found a match for it yet but I can tell you that particular backmark was found on many buttons made between 1850 and 1880.

 

[nhbenz]

I believe it says MP, which in this case is Massachusetts Police.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I am pretty sure it is a W after looking at some examples. So a "WP" button made between 1850 and 1880? Could it be a school or a local government? There are about 50 towns in Mass. that start with the letter W. Could it be a police button from one of them? Maybe somebody else can help.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I believe it says MP, which in this case is Massachusetts Police.

I thought that as well but after looking at some examples I think it is a W. Compare the M and W at this site: https://lettergenerator.net/oldenglish-letters.html

 

[jt101319]

I thought that as well but after looking at some examples I think it is a W. Compare the M and W at this site: https://lettergenerator.net/oldenglish-letters.html

yes i think its a w as well. it was found in Holden mass Holden is right next to Worcester so maybe Worcester Police? i cannot find anthing online similar

 

[nhbenz]

I can find examples online that say they’re Mass Police, and thought I’d seen them before locally (I’m in NH), but that’s not solid proof, and it’s possible that that made them with both an M and a W for different uses. So, just for consideration: https://www.etsy.com/listing/493996...e-brass?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_bot-5

 

[nhbenz]

Hmm, so here’s another example with the same backmark (which they have the wrong date range for), but the front is not the same. So I think they did make both, and that the one in question is a W like you guys said.
https://www.etsystudio.com/listing/592645522/civil-war-period-massachusetts-police

 

[CRUSADER]

I assume its the W? Police....

 

[A2coins]

that would be cool