flat buttons

[Ed Baker]

I found these today but can't read the writing on them wondering how old or what they might say

 

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[Ism]

They stopped making them in the 1840's in favor of the two piece buttons.

 

[vpnavy]

Maybe you can gently rub it in warm soapy water and see if you can read the writing Ed Baker.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Ed, your pix are too dark, and of such resolution, that none of us are going to be able to read them either. But I see enough lettering to think that you can certainly read it with a magnifying glass, it would seem.

Lsm is right: Just based on the design and look and what is visible in your pix, they are now doubt "gilt" buttons. The era of those so-called type started about 1800-ish, and ended in the late 1840s, or maybe very early 1850s. The backmarks would say things like "treble gilt" or "london fine" or "rich orange colour" and all sorts of cool sayings

 

[Ed Baker]

One is old English lettering I think one of the words is strong

 

[Ed Baker]

I also found this button on the same property

 

[Tom_in_CA]

P.O.D.

I also found this button on the same property

P.O.D. stood for "post office delivery" or "post office delivers". I believe those were on the uniforms of mailmen. They're not necessarily that old. Eg.: as recent as the 1930s or '40s perhaps?

 

[lordmarcovan]

I love diggin' flat buttons.

Especially since those sites often produce large cents and sometimes King George coppers or Spanish silver.

 

[BrotherAl]

Probably 1810 to 1830 colonial flat button.. does the inner circle on the back have a sawtooth or starburst design? I found one recently and could not read the outside ring.. should have used a toothpick or wooden shishcabob skure *(never could spell) to clean off the crust. Other research indicates mine could have been made by Mitchell and Tyler or EE Pritchard. Only could read the "tch" letters.

 

[BrotherAl]

I found these today but can't read the writing on them wondering how old or what they might say

The one I found was 1810 to 1830. You may be able to read some of the letters using a toothpick or better yet a wooden sishkabob skure. Gently remove the dirt and use a good loup or magnifier.

Al

 

[Ed Baker]

Found another one it says imperial orange gilt

 

[Iron Patch]

P.O.D. stood for "post office delivery" or "post office delivers". I believe those were on the uniforms of mailmen. They're not necessarily that old. Eg.: as recent as the 1930s or '40s perhaps?

Not Department?