✅ SOLVED Militia button??

[xcolo1]

From the 100+ button post. The backmark says hurstmann bros. & co Phil.
Theres gold gilt under there!!

 

[nhbenz]

People's Passenger Rail Way. They were around in the mid 1880's, but I don't know how long before or after.

Edit- From what I find online that Horstmann back mark is from 1859-63.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

We cannot trust websites for backmark dating. According the book "American Military Button Makers And Dealers; Their Backmarks & Dates" in the backmark PHOTOS section, that particular version of "HORSTMANN BROS & CO./(middle-dot)PHIL.(middle-dot)" backmark dates from 1870-1893. That date-range matches up with the time of the People's Passenger Rail Way Company.

 

[nhbenz]

Ahh, yes, thank you for the correction. I'd mentioned this being found online for just that reason (that it's not trustworthy). I just can't get to my reference books while my daughter is sleeping.