Found a neat Button

[pamlicopanther]

Today we had a strong westerly wind here in eastern NC which pushed the river water out and exposed the river bottom. I was able to leave work a couple of hours early and do some detecting.

I found a few mini balls and some colonial buttons as I do most times I hit this area. I did find one really nice button which is unlike any I have found before. I am not sure is this is civil war or colonial. I have found information that shows this as a War of 1812 era button but I am not sure. Does anyone know anything about this button?

 

[HutSiteDigger]

. Does it have a back-mark??

 

[jcobb]

Nice button! I don't have any info on it but I'm sure some of the guys on here will. Congrats!

 

[pamlicopanther]

. Does it have a back-mark??

It does have one. Every time I try to attach a pic of it I get a failure message. I will take another picture in the morning and attach it. Time for bed right now.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I love the very antiquated look of that eagle. Just "drips" with age! nice.

 

[JmCraz8]

Sweeet button and in great shape!!!

 

[Gunrunner61]

A very nice Button

 

[BuckleBoy]

Yours looks convex. The one HutDigger posted looks flat. If yours is convex, then it is one of several types of c.1812-20s era Navy Buttons. They are listed as NA32 through NA52 in Albert's Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons. A backmarks, if legible, would narrow the specific type down more, but that is the date range for them.

Regards,

Buck

 

[John Boy]

Awesome button.congrats on the find.good deal

 

[DJWEHAGE]

Love that button!

 

[gsxraddict]

amazing shape, awesome find. I know all of us would love to find one of those.

 

[pamlicopanther]

Thanks for the information on this button. I took it to my office today and looked at the back under my microscope. It says Firmin & Westall and it also says strand. The shank is still intact. It is convex and not flat. I can't believe how well this thing has survived being in the sand and mud of the river.

Here is a picture of the back. Thanks again for the information.

 

[birdman]

Absolutely fantastic! I have not been able to make it down your way in a while but I have a good lead for ya though.

 

[relicmeister]

That button is awesome. Good find!

 

[dgaughan]

Awesome is right!

 

[genlee]

Yours looks convex. The one HutDigger posted looks flat. If yours is convex, then it is one of several types of c.1812-20s era Navy Buttons. They are listed as NA32 through NA52 in Albert's Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons. A backmarks, if legible, would narrow the specific type down more, but that is the date range for them.

Regards,




Buck

Hey Buckleboy do my eyes deceive me or does that button have an applied back to it. As some if not most of the early navy 1 piece buttons were marked ARMITAGE / PHILa", rm between two raised rings, one part convex button, back is concave, ca 1810's to 1820's, (Armitage01) and I think there were two or three other backmarks

But this button looks like it was modified and has a ridge on the back? This button could be fairly significant, possibly made for an Admiral. Here is a link to follow Ridgeway Civil War Archive Buttons from Federal Navy one part flat buttons.


My though it that this button was intended for some one important.

Your thoughts or anyone else to be more specific.

John

 

[genlee]

And it could be possible the Firmin picked up surplus stock and re-branded the buttons


John

 

[kuger]

according to Bazelton Firmin was a London based firmthat did produce Military buttons for America in the 1820's -1830's and during the C.W. I couldnt find any info on the partnership with Westall.It def strikes me as 1820's-1830's,and likely Navy
'

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That's a very interesting button. Those barbs sticking out on top of the neck are only shown on NA41 in Alberts book, but a backmark for that button is not listed. However, that backmark is included in the list on page 465 and the dates of 1800-1811 are given. The RV may only be 15, but that's the first one of those I remember seeing. Very nice find!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I too thought like Kuger this was a 1820-1830 period.. I dug into Firmin & Westall more and found they made buttons

Firmin & Westall. (53 The Strand. London.) (1794-1812)
Firmin & Langdale. (53 The Strand. London.) (1811-1824)
Firmin Strand London (c. 1825)

From the records it looks like this button would have only been made from 1794-1812 (more of less 1810-1812 period).