✅ SOLVED Button info?

[oddcoins]

Hello!

I dug this botton today in Springfield Oregon. The front reads, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES. And, the back reads, M. C. LILLEY & Co. COLUMBUS O.

Anyone know how old this button is? What did it come off of? What does 'IN HOC SIGNO VINCES' mean?

THANKS!
Neil

 

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[Felinepeachy]

It's in Latin and it says, In this sign, conquer

 

[Felinepeachy]

This must be the same company

The founder Mitchell C. Lilley was born in 1819 in Columbus Ohio and died in 1882. Served in the Mexican War (1847-1848) and the Civil War (1861-1862). He was a bookbinder and publisher and published Masonic and Odd Fellows books. In 1865 started the M. C. LILLEY & CO which produced regalia and swords. This included society swords, US regulation swords (Model 1872 cavalry officers swords), and theatrical swords. Upon his death in 1882, the name was changed to THE M. C. LILLEY & CO and his long time partner Charles H. Lindenburg became president. They expanded into a complete line of military swords, uniforms, accessories, and equipment. They issued many military and society catalogs, including a 1919 presentation sword catalog. In 1923 the M. C. Lilley & Co purchased the Henderson-Ames and two years later purchased the Ames Sword Company. In that year, 1925, the name was changed to THE LILLEY CO.. The Ames equipment, tools machinery, etc. were moved from Chicopee, MA, to Columbus Ohio. In 1931 the name was changed to THE LILLEY-AMES CO.. They made a complete line of US regulation swords, including Marine Corps, West Point cadet, and Annapolis cadet swords. In 1941 they had a U.S. contract for 2,936 Model 1941 naval cutlasses with scabbards. The company failed to diversify as regalia sales declined and the company was sold to C. E. Ward in 1951. It operated as a badge manufacturer under the name of LILLEY AMES CO. from 1951 to 1953.

 

[Felinepeachy]

Symbolizes both victory and Christianity. Also, this symbol sometimes denotes a member of the York Rite Masons.

http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/yorkrite.html

Scroll down you'll see the symbol in several places.

Ya have a mason button

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I believe its a fraternal organization button. Waterbury made a similar Knights Templar crown & cross. http://www.waterburybutton.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=19120

I was posting same time as FelinePeachy, but a bit slow. Interesting link. My Dad despised the Masons and its our family name. I dont know much about them.

 

[hammered]

I believe Peachy is right on the button here. It's a long time since my days of learning/reading latin, and you can't take the exact translation as the explicit. But, Peachy is on the money re: "In hoc signo vinces".

It is a motto meaning "In this sign you will conquer." And is the motto of the Knights Templar, top of the York Rite of the Masonic Order.

"According to a well-known Catholic legend, Emperor Constantine the Great won the battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius in the year 312, because previously (at Saxa Rubra) he had seen a vision where he saw a cross with the words "In hoc signo vinces" (in this sign you will conquer), so he had his soldiers carry a cross on their armors and shields. Of course, this predates the Knights Templar motto by many centuries."

Good one Peachy


hammered

 

[hammered]

Yup, the Peach got it , well done, and you BCH


hammered

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I've seen that particular type of button previously. It is definitely a Knights Templar button.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1925-knights-templar-uniform-sword

The best book for dating button backmarks is "American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their Backmarks & Dates" By William F. McGuinn and Bruce S. Bazelon. About M.C. Lilley, Columbus Ohio, the books says he "entered the business of making lodge regalia in 1870." The firm he founded, bearing his name, was in business from 1882-1925.

 

[hammered]

I believe its a fraternal organization button. Waterbury made a similar Knights Templar crown & cross. http://www.waterburybutton.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=19120

I was posting same time as FelinePeachy, but a bit slow. Interesting link. My Dad despised the Masons and its our family name. I dont know much about them.

If your family name is "Mason" don't worry mate, mine's Crook. Now try that one on for size, although if you have a double barreled name like.......oh....I don't know........say..... "knights-Templar"......then you might have problems, although, if your double barreled name is Hitler-Georing or something, it might be worse .


hammered

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Good one Peachy

Yep. "M.C. Lilley & Co." is 1865-1882 time frame.

"The M.C Lilley & Co." would date it after 1882.

They were better known for their Secret Society swords than similar type buttons.

The best book for dating button backmarks is "Record of American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their Backmarks & Dates" By William F. McGuinn and Bruce S. Bazelon. About M.C. Lilley, Columbus Ohio, the books says he "entered the business of making lodge regalia in 1870." The firm he founded, bearing his name, was in business from 1882-1925.

Sorry, but the book is wrong. They were in business prior to and after the dates mentioned. "The firm he founded, bearing his name, was in business" and manufactured, distributed and sold fraternal regalia from 1865-1953. The link you provided states "The M.C Lilley Co."; this (oddcoins') button does not have the "The".

1865 ~ M.C. Lilley & Co.
1882 ~ The M. C. Lilley & Co.
1925 ~ The Lilley Co.
1931 ~ The Lilley-Ames Co.
1951 ~ sold to the C. E. Ward Co. (1905-1967) of New London, OH but made badges until 1953 under the Lilley-Ames name.

 

[Csprain@gmail.com]

I have a sword that when I googled, brought me here. It is a sword made by the the M. C. LILLEY & Co. COLUMBUS Ohio. On the front on the handle it says IN HOC SIGNO VINCES. On the actual sword there are lots of engravings including the name as follows. A. M. Rokenbrodt. The back of the sword is also engraved. On the front it also says Memento Mori. It also has a case. Any ideas when it is from? I will upload pictures as soon as I can.