✅ SOLVED Help me! Hat pin? Railroad pin?

[CjG3]

I found what I'm pretty sure is a pin. It has a eagle facing right. The letters Y M R above the eagle and the letters C C on each side by the eagles legs. I believe it's either copper or brass. It rang up like a quarter on my machine but it's about the size of a nickel. No back markings. Oh and I found it near a active railyard if that helps. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

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[invent4hir]

Hi, welcome to Tnet. Please post a clearer close-up picture of the front & one of the reverse. Wonder if C C stands for country club? Maybe it came off a rail passenger's blazer.

 

[invent4hir]

Also, what city/state was it found? Is/was there a passenger terminal?

 

[CjG3]

The Railyard is located in Albuquerque NM. Opened in 1880 as a steam locomotive repair warehouse. As far as I know passengers did not get off here but it's safe to assume conductors did. I was able to clean up the back a little better and can clearly see the word MILLER stamped on the back above where the post would be. I'm trying to figure out how to attach more pictures. Thanks for the help.

 

[CjG3]

Close up photos

 

[invent4hir]

Thanks for the clean-up and close-up pictures. I'm not a button guy per se, there are several Tnetters who are and have books on the subject. Hopefully one or more chimes in w/ more info on "Miller". In the meantime, there was a Miller Lock Company that made some railroad locks - maybe there is a connection.

That company was based in Philadelphia, PA. existed from 1870 until 1930. It was known as the D. K. Miller Co. until about 1880. Founder Daniel K. Miller (1844-1918) reportedly received the first patent for a lock design in 1873. Miller eventually sold his patents and lock company to the Yale Lock Company.

The other thing that strikes me about the button is that is appears to be 1-piece (although the crust may be concealing the edge of the 2-piece). What little I know of buttons is that 1-piece buttons were generally manufactured up to about the 1830s when the 2-piece began to appear.

 

[CjG3]

Oh wow, ok thank you for that information. I'll continue to do my research and I'll let you know if I find or get an answer.

 

[invent4hir]

Whenever I give a presentation about metal detecting, I tell audiences that for every hour I spend in the field detecting I can spend up 10 hours cleaning, preserving, then attempting to ID and date artifacts. In rare instances I can determine its original owner. While the field work always seems more fun to me that 10 hours is what transforms a find into a story. That button most certainly has an interesting back story, so keep at it. If I think of anything else - will post. Good luck!

 

[Detector mom]

Totally agree--and the researching, for me, is the best part. I've actually traced toy soldiers and clay marbles I found on an historic house property to the two boys who probably played with them in the late 1800s!

 

[CjG3]

Lots of brain power went into this one and it got me absolutely no where. Good thing there are some great people out there who really know their stuff. Thanks again for all the help. Happy hunting and God bless!