Military Button-Metal Specialties Co Attleboro, Mass

[jhenry]

Eagle with olive branch, clusters of arrows, shield. Globe circled with stars at top.
Two pieced button with brazed tang.
On back side, says Metal Specialties Co Attleboro, Mass.
Found yesterday in Amherst, Ohio. Need help dating this button.

 

[IronSpike]

It's a great seal button. Don't see that matching backmark this listing. One more for the list.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,212590.0.html

 

[diggummup]

This guy has it listed as a WWII era button-
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=11687&cat=all
Hope this helps.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I say its solved- circa 1940-1945.

jhenry,

If you feel this is solved,

Go back to your original post,

Click on Modify,

Click on Message icon down arrow,

Click on Solved,

The Green Check will appear.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

lol CY

 

[don96]

I have this exact button, except it's in better condition, and the shank is partially bent, but not broken. Does anyone have an idea of the value of this button? I've been looking in button books and can't find the answer. Thanks!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have this exact button, except it's in better condition, and the shank is partially bent, but not broken. Does anyone have an idea of the value of this button? I've been looking in button books and can't find the answer. Thanks!

The value is about a dollar.

 

[diggummup]

I have this exact button, except it's in better condition, and the shank is partially bent, but not broken. Does anyone have an idea of the value of this button? I've been looking in button books and can't find the answer. Thanks!

The value is about a dollar.

If your lucky.

 

[don96]

Thank you for the estimate. They might not be worth much but they sure are fun!

 

[diggummup]

Thank you for the estimate. They might not be worth much but they sure are fun!

Always fun to find, that's for sure.

 

[fyrffytr1]

OK, I may be missing something here but my reference states that black painted buttons were used 1910-1923. I haven't done a search on the backmark to see if it does date it to the WWII era.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I did some websearching for you. According to the 1930-dated document "History of Massachusetts Industries"
at http://www.rmlonline.org/pdffiles/Stone chapter xiv.pdf
the Metal Specialties Company in Attleboro Massachusetts began operations in 1916. Because the document was written in 1930, I assume that company was still in operation at that time. But of course that doesn't mean it survived the Great Depression and was still in business during World War 2.

My websearching did turn up a mention of a present-day company named Metal Specialties Co. in Massachusetts, but it was founded in 2009.

 

[diggummup]

I did some websearching for you. According to the 1930-dated document "History of Massachusetts Industries"
at http://www.rmlonline.org/pdffiles/Stone chapter xiv.pdf
the Metal Specialties Company in Attleboro Massachusetts began operations in 1916. Because the document was written in 1930, I assume that company was still in operation at that time. But of course that doesn't mean it survived the Great Depression and was still in business during World War 2.

My websearching did turn up a mention of a present-day company named Metal Specialties Co. in Massachusetts, but it was founded in 2009.

It mentions that they manufactured mailing box fasteners and no mention of buttons, I would think that venture was taken on after the document was written. Post 1930.
The Metal Specialties Company began operations in 1916, and was incorporated two
years later, with $50,000 capital, and manufactures mailing box fasteners, H. R.
Holbrook being president and treasurer, and L. M. Holbrook, secretary
I also found another document dated 1916 that mentions a contract for hot water bottles as well as a mention in a 1921 Chilton Hotel Supply index for the same.
http://tobaccodocuments.org/lor/88111666-1671.html 2nd document down,no.256

I also found a couple fly fishing accesories made by them circa 1940.
http://sportingspirit.com/index.html?trig=manuf&manuf=Metal Specialties&startatsb=261#
Seems this company was pretty diversified from it's inception and did survive the Great Depression and the owner (or one of them?) retired to Deland, Fl. in 1982 at the age of 90 and died some 5 years later at 95.

It's funny though, the only mention of buttons comes from the ones that metal detectorists have dug up.

 

[Frenchyfromgascony]

from Gascony

Iv' found the same but in better statenand no part broken in my field. In Lavardens, Gers, France. Can you tell me more about it?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

It is called a "Great Seal" button because it shows the Great Seal Of The United States.


Information for dating your button's time of manufacture:
The US Army started using the Great Seal on its buttons in 1902. From that year until 1910, the button did not have a raised rim/border around the emblem. Ever since 1910, the button has a raised rim/border.
Also beginning in the year 1910, and into 1923, the button had a black finish (usually, black enamel paint). From 1923 to the present, the button was either plain brass or gold-gilted.