Navy Hatpin Sterling

[Rick624]

I found this on Thursday and can't find one like it anywhere. Age and manufacture info is what I'm looking for.

American Eagle surrounded by 13 stars
Clutching an anchor
over stacked cannonballs

Clearly marked STERLING on back
Pin was probably broken off by me it looks solid silver too

It's not a reused naval button.

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

looks like a chinstrap button from a visor cap, not sure on age though

 

[DCMatt]

Here's a similar one made from a Massachusetts button:



The style of yours looks pre-WWII. I'd guess turn of the 20th C (when hat pins were really popular), but I'm only guessing...

 

[Rick624]

Here's a similar one made from a Massachusetts button:

View attachment 1792732

The style of yours looks pre-WWII. I'd guess turn of the 20th C (when hat pins were really popular), but I'm only guessing...

Nice save, mine I don't think ever served as a button. I've taken a better pic of the back.

 

[DCMatt]

I don't think ever served as a button.

Maybe not but .

I did a search for 'button "hat pin" ' and saw a couple more. All of them seem to be made from real buttons and all are from the turn of the 20 C give or take a decade.





I can tell you that from the 1880's into the early 1900's there was a huge nostalgia for the Civil War and US patriotism swelled generally. Lots of people wore patriotic jewelry and accouterments (like watch fobs, hat pins, and sash buckles).

Do some research on when jewelry was first marked with the word "STERLING". That might provide a clue.