Buttons

[CaribooCam]

Here are a couple pictures of some buttons I recovered from a site that was used continueusly?, or rebuilt upon? through the fur trade. Just seeing if anyone can tell me a bit more about what I have here hopefully and pin them to a specific uniform/s?

 

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[Muddyhandz]

Everything other than the HBC button is mid to late 19th century.
The 4 beavers (St. George's cross) from the Hudson's Bay Company dates to around 1780, give or take a decade.
For those who don't know, this design is from the center of the HBC coat of arms.





Nice finds!

 

[Iron Patch]

Dug this one about a decade ago and have never come across an answer.

 

[Muddyhandz]

Dug a few myself.....



Based on the back marks, I'd say they're mid-19th century.
Not associated with the fur trade.

Edit#

I guess I should post the 3 different back marks for these....

1. WATERBURY BUTTON CO.

2. WATERBURY BUTTON CO. (WATERBURY CON.)

3. FIRMIN & SONS LONDON

 

[CaribooCam]

It is always appreciated when you share your knowledge Dave. Seems you always have the answers! It would be great to have a guy like you pick through the collection. Thanks again!

 

[Muddyhandz]

Great news!
Went to Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site yesterday (it's been years) and saw something pretty sweet......





Pictures are a little blurry as this was behind glass. They had another red coat with the same buttons in another display in another building there as well.
I posted these buttons on another forum years ago stating that I had a hunch they were treaty buttons but never had any proof until now.
So glad I went! I'm also glad that I marked the locations of where each button was found as the historical record gets a little more clear.

 

[Iron Patch]

Very cool. The only question I have now is if they were a generic type button that was used on those coats, but had other uses as well.

 

[Muddyhandz]

In the 15 years I've tried to identify this button, my search started with it being a generic Canada Militia button as the first N.W.M.P. buttons were the same as the ones Canada Militia used.
We have some pretty big military guys here that have seen everything and they did not recognize these buttons.
After years, I was expecting someone from out east to know but the ones I corresponded with never saw them before.
All I could find on the Net was the original treaty coat given to Old Sun......

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Treaty_coat_owned_by_Old_Sun,_Siksika,_1877,_detail_-_Glenbow_Museum_-_DSC01084.JPG

It was presented to him by the N.W.M.P. on behalf of the government.
What do the artifacts tell us? Well, all of my buttons were found at Native camps/meeting places. Cam's button up top came " from a site that was used continuously?, or rebuilt upon? through the fur trade."
Now, at Native sites I have also found HBC, N.W.M.P. and military uniform buttons as well.
I.P. was your button found on a site that had a Native presence?
The jury's still deciding but I'm closer to an I.D. now than ever before.

#Edit:
Just found another variation of the crown button (newer?) and a great article close to home......

http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/48/greatmother.shtml

I don't think I've found that button before but now I better go look through the collection!

 

[Ia.FurTrade]

Interesting stuff, Dave! I love it when I'm able to increase my knowledge base!!
Thanks for posting!

Iowa Dale