Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) Cadet Button

soupie · Nov 21, 2013

Very RARE Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) Cadet Button

Found this yesterday....W.H. Horstmann PHI backmark...So rare I can't find one like it anywhere on the net....Wow Rare Rare Rare.... :icon_scratch:

westkybanded · Nov 21, 2013

That's stunning! Congrats!

Metal Magnet · Nov 21, 2013

awesome button! are you in KY?

soupie · Nov 21, 2013

I'm in southeast illinois
Found at a home site that dates back sometime before 1868

soupie · Nov 21, 2013

Backmark Photo

Cant find any reference online for this backmark and this particular button...any help appreciated nailing this down...thanks

Old Dude · Nov 21, 2013

For someone like me ( a native Kentuckian ), that is an awesome find. Please keep us updated as you find more info.

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Msbeepbeep · Nov 21, 2013

Awesome! Hope you find the info on it. HH!

Mackaydon · Nov 21, 2013

soupie,
See if either B6633 or B5735 (scroll down) is the same as yours:
Ridgeway Civil War Archive Buttons from Kentucky
Don.......

1320 · Nov 21, 2013

I don't follow buttons much but I have heard from two sources in the past that this is a very rare button....

Trezurehunter · Nov 21, 2013

Great looking button.

1320 · Nov 21, 2013

Shiloh Civil War Relics*Catalog

Wildcat1750 · Nov 21, 2013

Excellent button find! :icon_thumleft:

watercolor · Nov 21, 2013

WOW!!

Awesome recovery Scott!
Glad to see you're still pulling up the "good" stuff down south of us :icon_thumleft:

soupie · Nov 21, 2013

Mackaydon said:
soupie,
See if either B6633 or B5735 (scroll down) is the same as yours:
Ridgeway Civil War Archive Buttons from Kentucky
Don.......

The front is the same, the backmark is where I am having problems I can find nothing showing this face with a Backmark of "W.H. HORSTMANN. PHI"
The only thing I find on this backmark says it dates from 1820-1850
Link Here>>> Button Back Marks

soupie · Nov 21, 2013

1320 said:
Shiloh Civil War Relics*Catalog

Same as post above...face of button matches backmark does not...thanks for looking though...

jamesbibb · Nov 21, 2013

The way I read it is tices book covers buttons up to 1865 and he may notate suspicious buttons. His back mark is listed as a pre1865 specimen

Their isn't much info on horstman back mark styles in the appendix unfortunately.

The horstman & sons phi firm was only organized as such till 1869.selling produced buttons from other firms.

I think this is a pre 1865 button as listed by Tice

Great find

soupie · Nov 21, 2013

Thanks James,Mark..... It appears that several opinions both here and on other forums are in agreement that this is a pre civil war variety that is quite scarce and collectible...I am no button expert but I am inclined to agree :hello2:

Can I get a WoooHHoooo....
I wonder if there are more there....We shall see :icon_thumright:

BuckleBoy · Nov 21, 2013

This is a banner button, in my opinion. Very rare, pre-CW backmark.

Steve in PA · Nov 22, 2013

soupie said:
Thanks James,Mark..... It appears that several opinions both here and on other forums are in agreement that this is a pre civil war variety that is quite scarce and collectible...I am no button expert but I am inclined to agree

Can I get a WoooHHoooo....
I wonder if there are more there....We shall see

I will definitely give you a WhooHooo for that button!! Nice find!

nova treasure · Nov 22, 2013

Very nice find, if memory serves me right KMI was opened in 1845. I have seen several of the pre CW buttons come out of the ground back in the 1980's, but I can't think of another since. A preparatory school now presides in it's original location, I did a major work project for them a couple of years ago and they still declined me permission to hunt the grounds. So I believe it would be really rare to find this type button anywhere, So I vote Banner find.