🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Mystery button

[perdidogringo]

Hi All,

I found this mystery button in a forest preserve in the Chicago area today. I believe it is brass. On the front, It has an interesting cross with a ball in the middle with 4 "arms" jutting out from it. Although the back isn't in good shape, I believe I can see the following script, "B & P Extra." Unfortunately, I can't find anything online.

Can anyone identify this button? Thanks in advance!

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Perdidogringo said:
> I believe I can see the following script, "B & P Extra."
> Unfortunately, I can't find anything online.

That's because the backmark actually says "B&B" -- which would be the button-making firm of Benedict & Burnham, which was in business in Waterbury CT from 1834-1843.

Before anybody asks:
No, I do not recognize the extremely unusual emblem/logo on the button's front. Of course I've seen a cross, but never seen a disc with 4 bent golf clubs arranged equidistantly. The "bent golf clubs" actually remind me of the bent B-17 bomber aircraft propeller blades seen in WW2 photos when the bomber had to land on the concrete runway without a landing-gear (wheels). Of course, that can't be on an 1830s/40s button. Has anybody here ever seen that strange emblem in an early-1800s context?

 

[perdidogringo]

Perdidogringo said:
> I believe I can see the following script, "B & P Extra."
> Unfortunately, I can't find anything online.

That's because the backmark actually says "B&B" -- which would be the button-making firm of Benedict & Burnham, which was in business in Waterbury CT from 1834-1843.

Before anybody asks:
No, I do not recognize the extremely unusual emblem/logo on the button's front. Of course I've seen a cross, but never seen a disc with 4 bent golf clubs arranged equidistantly. The "bent golf clubs" actually remind me of the bent B-17 bomber aircraft propeller blades seen in WW2 photos when the bomber had to land on the concrete runway without a landing-gear (wheels). Of course, that can't be on an 1830s/40s button. Has anybody here ever seen that strange emblem in an early-1800s context?

Thanks for the feedback, Cannon! When i found the button, it did remind me of a couple of buttons I found along the Camino de los Cruces in Panama a few years back; they were military buttons from the wars of independence from Spain in the 1820s. I really didn't think it was possible to find such an old relic in the S/W suburbs of Chicago, where history is lacking (well, history involving lost metal anyway).

I hope someone can identify the logo on the button's front. I'm wondering if it was worn by some sort of clergy?

 

[AU Seeker]

Can you post a photo of the front without the penny in the photo, I'm trying to do an image search but all the results are of a penny and similar coins but not a similar button/design.

 

[perdidogringo]

Can you post a photo of the front without the penny in the photo, I'm trying to do an image search but all the results are of a penny and similar coins but not a similar button/design.

Here you go... Thank you!

 

[AU Seeker]

Here you go... Thank you!View attachment 2140631

Thanks, no pennies this time but also no matches, sorry, hopefully someone else will have some luck finding a match.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Not a match , but something similar from B&B.

1834-1843 GIlded Age gilt brass button Benedict & Burnham Have 8 | #540798403

antique, gorgeous B & Burnham Golden Age gilt one piece cast brass floral or flower buttons B & Burnham Extra marked on back. These were made by Benedict & Burnham precursor to the Waterbury Connect

www.worthpoint.com

 

[Mdpartner]

You might have to resign yourself to the fact it is only a design with absolutely no meaning.

 

[perdidogringo]

You might have to resign yourself to the fact it is only a design with absolutely no meaning.

Fair enough, although it seems quite an elaborate design to have no meaning. Thanks for your feedback, though. I guess we all want to think our finds are special, even when they might not be.