Help with old eagle button please

[relic lover]

I found this old eagle button buried deep in an old wagon trail it is a flattened two piece coat size with a heraldic eagle and the backmark Austin C O Providence R I. Can anyone date it or tell me more about it? Finds in the area date from the late 1700s to the 1920s.

 

[duggap]

What you have is called the great seal button. They started being made about 1903 and are still in use by the Army today.

 

[relic lover]

Thanks. I did find a WWI dog tag there this spring so that makes total sense.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

There were many different manfacturers. Heres a partial list. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,212590.msg2872340.html#msg2872340

Its WWI like duggap said (1914-18) and I think it was originally painted black.