✅ SOLVED Help Identifying Button - Confederate "Manuscript R" Rifleman's button

[ColtsPop]

This button is a brass, two piece type with the back having corroded away. It is 22.2 mm wide. It appears to feature a stylish “R” and was found in North Alabama on a site that was occupied by both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

Any information on type, age, rarity, would be appreciated. Although it was found on a site that has produced civil war artifacts, I recognize that it could be civilian.

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Woof! That is a super-rare "Manuscript R" Rifleman's button, made in Britain and imported into the Confederacy on a blockade-runner ship! Being gold gilted, it would have been worn by an officer.

Very-very few British-made Confederate buttons had an iron back. Could that be the reason this button's back is "corroded out"? Or did it have a brass back? I'm asking because it would be extremely odd to have expensive gold gilt (which we seem to see on the button's front) in combination which a crappy el-cheapo iron back.

Though its back is oddly missing, I'm reasonably sure it is not a modern-era Reproduction, for two reasons. 1- Reproductions are almost never gold-gilted. 2- Its apparent size in your photo matches the size specified for an Original in the Albert button-book - 23mm.

BTW, although you didn't ask... even with most of its back missing, it is SO rare that it is still worth several hundred dollars.

 

[UnderMiner]

You hit the jackpot!

 

[ColtsPop]

Woof! That is a super-rare "Manuscript R" Rifleman's button, made in Britain and imported into the Confederacy on a blockade-runner ship! Being gold gilted, it would have been worn by an officer.

Very-very few British-made Confederate buttons had an iron back. Could that be the reason this button's back is "corroded out"? Or did it have a brass back? I'm asking because it would be extremely off to have expensive gold gilt (which we seem to see on the button's front) in combination which a crappy el-cheapo iron back.

Though its back is oddly missing, I'm reasonably sure it is not a modern-era Reproduction, for two reaasons. 1- Reproductions are almost never gold-gilted. 2- It's apparent size in your photo matches the size specified for an Original in the Albert button-book - 23mm.

BTW, although you didn't ask... even with most of its back missing, it is SO rare that it is still worth several hundred dollars.

Thank you TheCannonballguy, I was hoping you would reply, and I was hoping that's what it was. I remember finding this button and rediscovered it while looking at some of my flat buttons. I was looking at Rafeal's site and thought I recognized it. I actually found it in 2019 when an automotive plant was being constructed, so the site is gone now. I searched for the back, but it didn't show up. I did find a flat button and a non-descript buckle along with it. It's been in my "junk" box for two years!

 

[smokeythecat]

Cannonball guy is correct as usual. I have two riflemen's buttons but could never afford this one! You hit the jackpot on this button!

 

[Gene Mean]

Great button, congrats on the save!
And what a great ID!

 

[devldog]

Personally to me, that button would be Priceless. That is one beautiful Confetrit' Riflemans button. Congrat's. This would surely enhance any collection and display.

 

[John in Wilmington]

Woof! That is a super-rare "Manuscript R" Rifleman's button, made in Britain and imported into the Confederacy on a blockade-runner ship! Being gold gilted, it would have been worn by an officer.

Very-very few British-made Confederate buttons had an iron back. Could that be the reason this button's back is "corroded out"? Or did it have a brass back? I'm asking because it would be extremely odd to have expensive gold gilt (which we seem to see on the button's front) in combination which a crappy el-cheapo iron back.

Though its back is oddly missing, I'm reasonably sure it is not a modern-era Reproduction, for two reasons. 1- Reproductions are almost never gold-gilted. 2- Its apparent size in your photo matches the size specified for an Original in the Albert button-book - 23mm.

BTW, although you didn't ask... even with most of its back missing, it is SO rare that it is still worth several hundred dollars.

Unfortunately the one I recovered had the back decomposing also. The remnants were brass and not iron and the loop was stuck in the back amid the dirt and what was left of the back. A second was found perfectly intact a few yards from the first. That button is now in a prominent CW button collection.

 

[invent4hir]

Great job in saving another historically significant artifact!

 

[ColtsPop]

Can you post a picture of the back of yours? How long ago was it found?

Unfortunately the one I recovered had the back decomposing also. The remnants were brass and not iron and the loop was stuck in the back amid the dirt and what was left of the back. A second was found perfectly intact a few yards from the first. That button is now in a prominent C