I always thought the record should be set straight on these rivets. They are not Civil War related as many have stated. They are simply part of a two piece Star Brand rivet which, once in place, was secured by a back "bur." They were made by the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company of Ansonia, Connecticut. Here is one of their packing crates that contained little cardboard boxes of rivets and burs. One of their competitors was the Townsend Company which made "Anchor Brand" rivets which we see dug and posted from time to time. Below is one of their little cardboard boxes.