Railroad, military,police and unknown buttons

[woolwich01]

My brother and I dug these buttons in a field where we have dug a couple of hundred buttons. We have alway wonder how so many diverse buttons have ended up in a field in southern New Jersey. Can anyone shed some light on that? One theory is that they where pulled from clothing that was going to be turned in rag paper.

Any identifications or information on the buttons will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for looking.

 

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[Professor of Engineering]

Nice finds, congrats!

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[vpnavy]

 

[fyrffytr1]

Top left piece in the 3rd and 4th pictures is a hem weight. It was sewn into the hems of women's skirts and men's long tail coats to keep the wind from blowing them up.

 

[highnam]

Those buttons are from the 1800’s, I don’t see anything from the early 1900’s.
If you are finding lots of nails among the buttons they could have gone through a fire. (I would expect to see more matching buttons if that was the case) It looks like the “Missouri Pacific Lines” button is majorly reproduced today, so a authentic button is nice to see.
Great stuff!

 

[Trezurehunter]

The button in your first picture with the pin going thru the shank, is a Great Seal military button. Most likely WW11. Nice finds. That's quite a button haul.

 

[Hawks88]

Nice pieces of history saved. Congrats

 

[woolwich01]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Subterranean]

Your police button appears to be an early St. Louis Metropolitan PD button. Nice collection! Sub