WW1 Button?

[Woodland Detectors]

I dug this one yesterday and if I'm on I'm thinking WW1. Any one? Thank you

 

[Montana Jim]

I agree - and I think your backmark pre-dates the 1902 button design... most likely very early 20th c.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

But, I thought the great seal wasn't used on buttons pre- 1902?

 

[johnnyi]

Yes 4-H, it is 1902.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

But, I thought the great seal wasn't used on buttons pre- 1902?

Thats a good question and one that I asked myself when I bought a bag of Great Seal buttons with this 1850 backmark. http://pw1.netcom.com/~jimyce/bm.html

After 7 months, I finally found the answer. Read reply # 53. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,212590.0.html

I discovered why 1865 SCOVILLE MF'G CO. WATERBURY backmarks are showing up on WWI Great Seal buttons. This link explains it.

http://inkspotantiques.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=1 http://inkspotantiques.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=1

Keep in mind that using Scovill backmark lettering (including dots and stars) is not a foolproof method because Scovill often used old backmark dies to make newer buttons. Thus it is possible to have a World War I "Great Seal" button with an 1850 backmark.



I think your backmark is 1860-1880 with the ring of dots but its a 1902 button.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks 4H, Ive decided to add your 1860-1880? Scovill ring of dots variety to my list of Great Seal button backmarks (with your permission)because it is different. I thinks its the first I have seen.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Of course. Please put it on your list. I use your list for refference sometimes.
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--Keep in mind that using Scovill backmark lettering (including dots and stars) is not a foolproof method because Scovill often used old backmark dies to make newer buttons. Thus it is possible to have a World War I "Great Seal" button with an 1850 backmark. Another nuance is that while text may remain the same, other embellishments on Scovill buttons change with time. An 1850 backmark may have the name in a groove or one or two rings made of fine lines or tiny dots, whereas a later button may have no ring of dots ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Montana Jim]

But, I thought the great seal wasn't used on buttons pre- 1902?

Right... I said: "I think your backmark pre-dates the 1902 button design".

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Thanks Jim. I was just wanting to know a little history as to why the "Quality or,makers mark" Pre-dated the 1902 great seal. We need to get the whole history if we teach the kids this stuff. Most of them don't care but, you always get a couple that ask"what,why? when? and how come?lol Thanks Big Cypress

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

But, I thought the great seal wasn't used on buttons pre- 1902?

Right... I said: "I think your backmark pre-dates the 1902 button design".

Correct you are Jim. It took me 7 months to figure that out. I thought the backmark link that everyone uses was incorrect but it is indeed an old backmark. http://pw1.netcom.com/~jimyce/bm.html

 

[Woodland Detectors]

I figured it was 1902 but, we need to learn a little history to go with it so, when we show Children and their parents we wan't to be accurate in all history aspects...Thank you Big Cypress for helping. I think you know when we post what were looking for. Sincerely, Staff

 

[Montana Jim]

I would assume 4-H that they simply decided to mix "old stock" backs with "new stock" faces... I dunno.

The other possibility is that he backmark information available to us is just plain wrong.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I would assume 4-H that they simply decided to mix "old stock" backs with "new stock" faces... I dunno.

The other possibility is that he backmark information available to us is just plain wrong.

I think your first assumption is correct. They used the old backmark dies as well. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,212590.0.html Reply #14 and #53