Buttons and Balls

[gabeman3000]

Picked up some nice items today for super cheap at an antique store. Lady had no idea what she was dealing with so here's what I found:

























Buttons have back marks. Great Seal: "R. LIEBMANN MFG CO - NEWMARK NJ -"

Unknown: "WATERBURY BUTTON CO.
* CONN. *"

Age? Any more info?

They apparent musket balls (they are metal) were in a jar of marbles. Any way of telling if they are? If so what caliber?

And what about the keys?

I did not buy this padlock but am interested if anyone has any information. Military?

Thanks all!

 

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[taz42o]

The balls look to be steel the are probably marbles called steelys.
The second button is air force.

 

[gabeman3000]

The balls look to be steel the are probably marbles called steelys.
The second button is air force.

Ok. Thanks for the info.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

As Taz42o said, your button showing an eagle atop a shield enclosing lightning-bolts is a US Air Force button. The USAF was created in 1947, so your button can be no earlier than that.

Your other button is a US Army button showing the Great Seal of the United States -- and thus is commonly known as a "Great Seal button." That emblem was first adopted for use on US Army insignia in 1902. The "black finish" version (which you've got) was in use during World War One, but was discontinued after that time.

Your black-finish button with the backmark (maker-or-dealer's-mark) "R. Liebmann Mfg Co / Newark" was discussed in a previous thread here at TreasureNet: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/160694-help-old-style-button.html