Found A 1800s Rubber Button

[Ohio Can Slaw]

I had no idea there was such a thing as rubber buttons. The one I found was patented by Goodyear and made by Novelty Rubber Company 1851-1873. Broke it cleaning it.

 

[fwcrawford]

I believe during the Civil war, they appeared on navy uniforms.
Also, I think the Berdan sharpshooters (Union) also had them on their green uniform to help with concealment.. they did not shine.

 

[Ohio Can Slaw]

That is what I read. The buttons I saw had eagles on it.

 

[fwcrawford]

That is what I read. The buttons I saw had eagles on it.

Exactly…. They were made by Goodyear also.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Goodyear never made buttons but he did hold the patent for the rubber used to make them. The Berdan's Sharpshooter's button did have an eagle on it. Reproductions of the button were made for re-enactors so be careful if you come across one for sale. The fake button won't have any backmark. Here are pictures of a repro that was in my brother'scollection.

 

[Ronstar]

Wow. New wrinkle for me and not caused by age…….

 

[laplander]

Cool piece, congrats! Ozone would be hard on the rubber. I saw some pristine ones on display in KC at the steamboat Arabia Museum. The boat sunk and the cargo was recovered in the 80's everything was in perfect preservation. The rubber items are hermetically sealed and kept out of direct light.
HH Jeff

 

[Ohio Can Slaw]

Cool piece, congrats! Ozone would be hard on the rubber. I saw some pristine ones on display in KC at the steamboat Arabia Museum. The boat sunk and the cargo was recovered in the 80's everything was in perfect preservation. The rubber items are hermetically sealed and kept out of direct light.
HH Jeff

The rubber part of the button was in good condition until i started cleaning the dried mud off... Then it started to crumble.