Dark US Uniform Brass Buttons That I Cannot Find Any Info or Photos

[CHOODOT43]

Hi there! While I do metal detect here, when the opportunity occurs, in Varina, Virginia I came across these brass buttons at an estate sale here in town and cannot find anything similar to them online. They are brass, dark which means field use I've been told, and the matching small one has AM Button Co. Newark, NJ on the reverse. The uniform one has the remnants of the same, but for some reason has been partially obliterated when manufactured. There appears to be a locomotive on the left. Any ideas? Thanx!!

 

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[DownEast_Detecting]

it looks like a illinois state uniform button but something is a little off. i dont know if they are copies or someone changed the backs out or a different manufacturer or whats up. Gonna have to wait for a button expert.

 

[CHOODOT43]

Thank you! This set came from the estate of one that did spend time in Illinois. ( I ran the sale and was privy to the family history) so I think you are correct about their origin. Cheers! Rob

 

[creskol]

AM Button Company is American Button Company backmark. They only existed from 1901 - 1917.

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

Yeah the Illinois ones should be scovill made buttons. thats why im not sure what's up with these. Maybe a different company "borrowed" the design.

 

[creskol]

Yeah the Illinois ones should be scovill made buttons. thats why im not sure what's up with these. Maybe a different company "borrowed" the design.

What size are they? The American Button Company made dark buttons that were 28.5mm.

 

[Sandog]

Why is the one from Illinoise more valuable than the one from Illinois?

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

Why is the one from Illinoise more valuable than the one from Illinois?

Because one is on Etsy. I have seen plain Penny’s for 10,000 dollars before. You can’t trust Etsy for pricing. And you can’t trust eBay unless you click on the filters “sold” and “completed” then take an average of all the sold for prices. Works best with a large sample size.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Many buttons were made by several different button making companies. There are over 150 different makers of the US Great Seal button that was introduced in 1902.

 

[CHOODOT43]

Good morning all! And thank you for your info! The large button is at least 23mm and less than 24mm. I have attached a few more photos with a bit more clarity along with the GAR buttons that came with the possible Illinois Militia ones. If one looks at the reverse of the IL. button you can see where there are the tops of letters impressed around the rim with the rest rubbed out. AM Buttons Co. has been reported to be short lived and I wonder if when they closed if their equipment and left over stock was sold to another manufacturer. The GAR cuffs have Goodwin's and a patent date on the reverse. The larger one's are blank. More thoughts? Thanx! Rob

 

[Digger RJ]

Hi there! While I do metal detect here, when the opportunity occurs, in Varina, Virginia I came across these brass buttons at an estate sale here in town and cannot find anything similar to them online. They are brass, dark which means field use I've been told, and the matchingView attachment 2101003View attachment 2101004View attachment 2101005View attachment 2101006small one has AM Button Co. Newark, NJ on the reverse. The uniform one has the remnants of the same, but for some reason has been partially obliterated when manufactured. There appears to be a locomotive on the left. Any ideas? Thanx!!

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[fyrffytr1]

The AM, or American button co. started in 1901, the factory burned in 1917 and the compsny ceased to exist in 1920. Thre Goodwins patent buttons from 1875 and 1878. These buttons are of rather poor quality.

 

[CHOODOT43]

Good morning again. I was able to make out a name on one of the large buttons as N. Snellenburg Co. Phila. Smiles!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Good morning again. I was able to make out a name on one of the large buttons as N. Snellenburg Co. Phila. Smiles!

Nathan Snellenberg Co., Philadelphia. Tailoring firm from 1868 and continuing to at least 1929. Backmark is on many police buttons.

 

[Sandog]

Hats off to:
Reactions:fishstick

 

[CHOODOT43]

Nathan Snellenberg Co., Philadelphia. Tailoring firm from 1868 and continuing to at least 1929. Backmark is on many police buttons.

Thanx!!