I need help dating a button.

[Scrappy]

I have been stomping around an old homestead trying to find the old stuff and found this button. I can't read the writing on the back but I think the last word says "variety".

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

In 40 years of digging (and dealing in) excavated Historical buttons, I've never seen the word "variety" in a button's backmark, so I think the word you are seeing is actually "quality."

If a 2-piece (or 3-piece) button's backmark lettering is raised, your button could date from the 1830s into the 1870s. If the lettering is indented, it can be from much later. We need to see several additional well-focused closeup photos of your 2-piece button's backmark, showing the lettering as clearly as possible, in order to time-date it accurately.

 

[Scrappy]

I've been trying to get some decent pictures but I think the text is gone. It doesn't look raised so I guess it's newer? Thanks cannonballguy for your input.

 

[nhbenz]

I believe the other word is "EXTRA".

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Thank you for the effort of making a well-focused closeup photo of what remains of your brass 2-piece button's backmark. It seems to have what is called "Serifed" lettering (see the diagram below) which was common in pre-1900s backmarks, afterward superceded by "plain block" lettering.

Combining the following clues:
1- the presence of Serifed lettering,
2- the presence of an "Extra Quality" backmark (common in the 1800s, much less often seen in the 1900s),
3- the "construction" of your button's back (having a brazed-on loop),
I believe your button dates anywhere from the mid-1830s to the end of the 1800s. It is more probably from the earlier part of that time-range than the later part.

 

[Scrappy]

Thank you for the effort of making a well-focused closeup photo of what remains of your brass 2-piece button's backmark. It seems to have what is called "Serifed" lettering (see the diagram below) which was common in pre-1900s backmarks, afterward superceded by "plain block" lettering. Combining the following clues: 1- the presence of Serifed lettering, 2- the presence of an "Extra Quality" backmark (common in the 1800s, much less often seen in the 1900s), 3- the "construction" of your button's back (having a brazed-on loop), I believe your button dates anywhere from the mid-1830s to the end of the 1800s. It is more probably from the earlier part of that time-range than the later part.

Cannonballguy- your reputation precedes you as one of the most knowledgeable relic and military artifact guys around. Thank you for the insight into the button. Although 100 younger than the site, this buttons age is the oldest item yet I've found here and a step in the right direction .


Again thanks and cheers!