I found this button in a little patch of woods yesterday not far from where a skirmish took place in 1864.
It looks like it may have a backmark, but I can't make it out.
I also tried looking in my ALBERT'S button book, but I can't see one quite like it.
It is 19mm in diameter.
Any help on the maker is much appreciated.
Thanks for looking!

Sorry I can only offer a compliment on such a good looking find....but I know nothing about the actual background on such things.

Excellent find !!!!

fwcrawford said:

I found this button in a little patch of woods yesterday not far from where a skirmish took place in 1864.
It looks like it may have a backmark, but I can't make it out.
I also tried looking in my ALBERT'S button book, but I can't see one quite like it.
It is 19mm in diameter.
Any help on the maker is much appreciated.
Thanks for looking!
View attachment 39759View attachment 39760

Click to expand...

Nice. Is there a number or letter in center of that shield?
Tony

BigTony said:

Nice. Is there a number or letter in center of that shield?
Tony

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No,,, I could just make out some faint stripes before cleaning it.. I guess it is a general service button.

fwcrawford said:

No,,, I could just make out some faint stripes before cleaning it.. I guess it is a general service button.

Click to expand...

Cool find

fwcrawford said:

I found this button in a little patch of woods yesterday not far from where a skirmish took place in 1864.
It looks like it may have a backmark, but I can't make it out.
I also tried looking in my ALBERT'S button book, but I can't see one quite like it.
It is 19mm in diameter.
Any help on the maker is much appreciated.
Thanks for looking!
View attachment 39759View attachment 39760

Click to expand...

I will take military buttons all day everyday on a hunt. Congrats, great looking button. Good look on finding out more on who made it. I read somewhere that there were quite a few manufactures that were not documented that made buttons, along with there being so many different variations of the “Eagle”. Yet there are some well versed individuals in this hobby that might be able to ID it to the T. Thanks for sharing.

What a super place you have found!! Beautiful civil war button! We both know there is more in that bullet patch. bullets, buttons and now you just need to find a buckle!

This button has alot going on... I found several contenders for possible manufacture... but nothing exact... Based on The pictures... To the best I could see... (top to bottom) The eagles head is pointing to the right with the mouth slightly open... The wings Are short... Straight Up... And below the Beak... the right wing has 9 outside feathers... The left wing has 10...It almost looks like the missing 10th feather on the right wing... at the base of the wing may have chipped off... But the manufacturer may have left it out to catch copy cats... The shield in the chest is raised edge... appears to have had 5 stripes... And is rounded at the bottom... The olive branch in the right claw has 3 tear drop leaves pointing to the edge of the button... the two closest to the claw have a half leaf in the middle... The arrows in the left claw are cluster'd at the feathers... and slightly spread out to the tips... the tips are more like spear heads than arrow heads... Five tail feathers above the trunk end of the olive branch and the arrow feathers... lastly.... unless I'm just not seeing correctly... because of the camera angle (shadowing)... It looks like this button has a seamed or stamped edge... Not rounded or curled over like a coat button... without something like a dime in the pic for reference... I'm wondering if it might not be a vest or cuff button -vs- a coat button...

I'm fairly certain this could be a Civil War Union (yankee) Infantry button...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115236809875?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 ---(grabbed coat button pic link will disappear after sale)---
http://www.caldwellandcompany.net/buttons.html ---(grabbed coat button pic also buttons always for sale)---
https://shilohrelics.com/cgi-bin/Display_Items_Gal.asp?T=2&M=139&S=562 ---(buttons always for sale)---
http://www.relicman.com/buttons/RelicmanSalesButton4.html ---(buttons always for sale)---

I’m thinking Calvary more than Infantry… they were no infantry in this skirmish.
But there is no “C” inside the shield.
Thanks for the help… I don’t think it is a cuff button, but could be a best button.

Awesome find.

fwcrawford said:

I’m thinking Calvary more than Infantry… they were no infantry in this skirmish.
But there is no “C” inside the shield.
Thanks for the help… I don’t think it is a cuff button, but could be a best button.

Click to expand...

Two passing thoughts.... In those chaotic times.... because of a possible shortage of buttons or uniforms... A Calvary solder might have had to wear what was available right that second.... Or... After the skirmish.... after the dust settled.... Someone had to come in.... clean up... and take account of the dead or missing... that might have been the Infantry... No matter how it got there... A Fantastic Find and A Great Mystery

thepest said:

Two passing thoughts.... In those chaotic times.... because of a possible shortage of buttons or uniforms... A Calvary solder might have had to wear what was available right that second.... Or... After the skirmish.... after the dust settled.... Someone had to come in.... clean up... and take account of the dead or missing... that might have been the Infantry... No matter how it got there... A Fantastic Find and A Great Mystery

Click to expand...

More likely that a Calvary soldier had to make do with what he had available..thanks!!