✅ SOLVED Eagle button…navy? civilian? date?

[Underwonder]

Hi button and military experts,

I found the front piece of a button…guessing it is civilian but hoping it is military….possibly navy? If it is…any idea of approx. age?

Thanks!
Kim

 

[GoldieLocks]

Is it a checker piece,?

 

[vpnavy]

Until a member pipes in - I found one "close" to your find...

"...primary types of US Navy buttons worn during the Civil War..."

US Military Uniform Buttons Interesting Facts
(06 April 2013 - 02:19 AM)

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[Underwonder]

Until a member pipes in - I found one "close" to your find...

"...primary types of US Navy buttons worn during the Civil War..."
View attachment 2032457
US Military Uniform Buttons Interesting Facts
(06 April 2013 - 02:19 AM)

​

Is it a checker piece,?

Interesting idea..

 

[Underwonder]

Until a member pipes in - I found one "close" to your find...

"...primary types of US Navy buttons worn during the Civil War..."
View attachment 2032457
US Military Uniform Buttons Interesting Facts
(06 April 2013 - 02:19 AM)

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Great photo resource and close match..the top of the anchor looks straight on this button vs. angled…making me think it is a sort of replica. Thanks so much!

 

[Terry Soloman]

Here is one that I found. It is different, and has been identified as a Civil War Navy button.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Underwonder, your find is definitely an ironbacked civilian "Fashion" button, loosely imitating the actual US Navy button. Note that your eagle's wings have very round tops... and the rope-border does not pass through the ring on the anchor's top, as it does on the actual USN button. Also, the civilian-usage imitation's emblem detail (sharpness) is very weak in comparison to the USN button's superbly crisp detail. See the photo below, showing a civil war era actual US Navy uniform button.

Lastly, I mentioned your Fashion button having an iron bac (which has mostly corroded away. Actual US Navy buttons NEVER have an iron/steel back, because the iron would eventually get rusty, from saltwater air, and washing, which would make rust-stains on the uniform. The only exception to that rule is a small USN button made for use on a kepi-hat's leather strap.

I'm including the final photo below to show y'all another variation of civilian "Fashion" imitation US Navy buttons. Again, note the rounded-top wings, and weak detail in the emblem. In comparison, on the sharply-detailed actual US Navy button you can even see vanes in the individual feathers on the eagle's chest.

 

[Underwonder]

Here is one that I found. It is different, and has been identified as a Civil War Navy button.

Congrats to you!!! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Underwonder]

Underwonder, your find is definitely an ironbacked civilian "Fashion" button, loosely imitating the actual US Navy button. Note that your eagle's wings have very round tops... and the rope-border does not pass through the ring on the anchor's top, as it does on the actual USN button. Also, the civilian-usage imitation's emblem detail (sharpness) is very weak in comparison to the USN button's superbly crisp detail. See the photo below, showing a civil war era actual US Navy uniform button.

Lastly, I mentioned your Fashion button having an iron bac (which has mostly corroded away. Actual US Navy buttons NEVER have an iron/steel back, because the iron would eventually get rusty, from saltwater air, and washing, which would make rust-stains on the uniform. The only exception to that rule is a small USN button made for use on a kepi-hat's leather strap.

I'm including the final photo below to show y'all another variation of civilian "Fashion" imitation US Navy buttons. Again, note the rounded-top wings, and weak detail in the emblem. In comparison, on the sharply-detailed actual US Navy button you can even see vanes in the individual feathers on the eagle's chest.

Thanks so much for the detailed information. I hadn’t noticed the rope detail. You confirmed my suspicions! One day I’ll find a true military button! Much appreciated!