My first Civil War Button, I Think ?

TripleCreek · Dec 3, 2009

I found this Button today, while metal Detecting an 1860s house. It says Massachuestts, with a man standing inside a shield on the front. Does anyone reconize this as a civil war button ?

jeffk · Dec 3, 2009

very cool

jeffk

allan · Dec 3, 2009

here is some on fleabay http://cgi.ebay.com/CIVIL-WAR-MASSA...5QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

jrsherman · Dec 3, 2009

I'd say with that Scoville backmark, and with it being a 2-piece, it's got a really high chance of being one! Congrats on it,it looks pretty good!

ModernMiner · Dec 3, 2009

It looks like Albert's MS32a to me. :icon_thumleft:

Very nice button.
-MM-

jrsherman · Dec 3, 2009

Thanks for that confirmation Doug, I'm not the club librarian anymore so I don't have the button books I used to :notworthy:

TripleCreek · Dec 4, 2009

Thanks for the help with the ID. I had no idea that there were "so" many differant verities and styles of CW buttons !!

ModernMiner, The Indian on my button varies slightly from the one in your picture. The left hand is on the hip, not holding arrows, legs are different, etc. does this make it a completely differant button, or were there slight changes made during the manufacturing process of each style of button?

Thanks,
3creeks

ModernMiner · Dec 4, 2009

TripleCreek said:
Thanks for the help with the ID. I had no idea that there were "so" many differant verities and styles of CW buttons !!

ModernMiner, The Indian on my button varies slightly from the one in your picture. The left hand is on the hip, not holding arrows, legs are different, etc. does this make it a completely differant button, or were there slight changes made during the manufacturing process of each style of button?

Thanks,
3creeks

3creeks,
Looking at the Indians legs, I agree they seem to be different. MS32a was the only one I see in Albert's button book that I saw with that exact back mark, "Scovill Mfg. Co. - Waterbury". I was thinking it could of been MS31a, but that back mark would of had "Conn." after "Waterbury". The front of MS31a does look closer to yours though. :icon_scratch:

Does your button have what looks like an arm with sword at the top like I show in the attached picture?
Also, I don't see any Mass. buttons where the Indians hand is on his hip. :dontknow:

He is holding something in both hands in all the ones pictured in my book. I am no button expert though, I'm just going by what I see.
You may want to list your button in the "what is it" section to see if someone else has a better idea. :dontknow:

Great looking button though, :thumbsup:

MM

ModernMiner · Dec 4, 2009

allan said:
here is some on fleabay http://cgi.ebay.com/CIVIL-WAR-MASSA...5QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

Thanks Allan.

3creeks,
Here are pictures of the one Allan mentions on E-bay. They look like the MS32a version also. Note the bent knee.
-MM-

West Jersey Detecting · Dec 4, 2009

ModernMiner said:
TripleCreek said:

Thanks for the help with the ID. I had no idea that there were "so" many differant verities and styles of CW buttons !!

ModernMiner, The Indian on my button varies slightly from the one in your picture. The left hand is on the hip, not holding arrows, legs are different, etc. does this make it a completely differant button, or were there slight changes made during the manufacturing process of each style of button?

Thanks,
3creeks

Click to expand...

3creeks,
Looking at the Indians legs, I agree they seem to be different. MS32a was the only one I see in Albert's button book that I saw with that exact back mark, "Scovill Mfg. Co. - Waterbury". I was thinking it could of been MS31a, but that back mark would of had "Conn." after "Waterbury". The front of MS31a does look closer to yours though.
Does your button have what looks like an arm with sword at the top like I show in the attached picture?
Also, I don't see any Mass. buttons where the Indians hand is on his hip. He is holding something in both hands in all the ones pictured in my book. I am no button expert though, I'm just going by what I see.
You may want to list your button in the "what is it" section to see if someone else has a better idea.
Great looking button though,
MM

Chances are, if that exact backmark is not listed in the Tice book, it is likely to be post CW. That back mark, "SCOVILL MF'g Co. WATERBURY" was used 1850-1865 according to http://pw1.netcom.com/~jimyce/bm.html. I will take a look when I get home this evening.

vayank54 · Dec 4, 2009

Most of that style Mass buttons are post war. From the pic the backmark looks like an 1870's to 90's Scovill backmark with no stars between the words.

TripleCreek · Dec 4, 2009

ModernMiner,

Yes, there is a sword "like" arm above the shield on my button, but it looks like the sword in No. 32 not 31. (my button is definitely "rounded", not flat, either)

I believe, if I am reading your book correctly, my button is no. 32 variation B; 32 plainly shows the Indian holding arrows in his left hand, and my Indian has his left hand on his hip. But everything else is the same. So I am guessing that variation B is the one that is not "pictured" but very close. (my Indian seems to have his right hand closer to the top of the bow, which fits with the variation's B written description also)

The back mark fits with the 1850 to 1865 manufature date.

Thanks to all that posted, for helping me learn something about these buttons.

Best Regards,
3Creeks

West Jersey Detecting · Dec 4, 2009

You may also be interested in some cleaning methods for that button. My guess is that it will turn out nice!

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,165857.0.html

Digginman · Dec 4, 2009

Civil War or not, it's a very nice button. I'd love to find one like that.

DM

Don in SJ · Dec 4, 2009

I am not sure of the era, but there is a backmark that matches in Tice's book that says 1880's-1900, ( 4C, page 76 ) also one very similar says 1860s however on the 1860s I believe the letters are smaller than your backmark, which means larger letters would then match the later dated one.

Don