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Flower Buttons
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The following is an excerpt from Stanley S. Phillips' book entitled Excavated Artifacts From Battlefields & Campsites of the Civil War 1861-1865.
Although regulation uniform buttons were prescribed by the Confederate States Army, buttons recovered from Confederate campsites support the fact that not only a small number of them were manufactured by C. S. Government. Instead, what are found is a collection of various pre-Civil War Southern States buttons, a variety of different U.S. Regulation Civil War and pre-Civil War buttons and a multitude of non-military buttons of every size and design.
The production of metal uniform buttons was considered low priority as far as the C.S. military establishment was concerned. The South's limited resources, labor, and machinery were directed toward more urgent needs than buttons. A small quantity of buttons were contracted from several Southern stamping and metal-working concerns; additional buttons were purchased in England and Europe and brought through the blockade. Many early Southern militia units had uniforms and State buttons that they wore into the conflict in 1861.
The finding of U.S. buttons in large quantity, both those of current regulation and earlier militia issue, in Confederate camps is attributed to two factors:
1. At the outbreak of the conflict, the Confederate Government confiscated all of the U.S. arsenals and depots in the South and utilized the stores and equipment - including uniforms and buttons - to equip and clothe the Southern soldier.
2. Throughout the War, the Confederate Army equipped and outfitted the soldier with whatever serviceable equipment and clothing that could be found, whether it be Union or Confederate.
It fell on the individual Confederate soldier in most cases, to furnish his own buttons - whether they be for his uniform coat, if he had one; his shirt, or his trousers. For the most part, hw was clothed and outfitted at home, with the final "military" touch being the brass buttons and trimmings. These brass buttons that have been excavated are one and two piece, plain or with fancy flower designs, and range in size from small cuff buttons to coat buttons one and one-quarter inches in diameter. Many of these brass flower buttons were either gold or silver plated and seem to have had an unending number of different designs and patterns stamped on them.
Some of the buttons pictures are examples of ones made by the soldier in the field or by local contractors from crude, handmade molds. Still others illustrate the time and effort that were spend in repairing and altering damaged buttons. The press of necessity for such a common item as a button many times resulted in the Confederate soldier relying on a flattened-out bullet, a small piece of wood, or a nail used as a fastener.
The relic collector specializing in buttons my be amazed and perhaps puzzled by the great number of military academy and school buttons that are recovered from campsites. This is explained, however, if one will assume that many of the officers, both Union and Confederate, wore their academy and school uniform buttons throughout the entire conflict. Many Union officers wore the buttons of the U.S. Military Academy where they had been cadets. The Southern officers came from a multitude of different academies and institutes from throughout the South. Some of the buttons found are from the following schools: Cape Fear Academy in North Carolina; Charlotte Military Institute in North Carolina; Georgia Military Institute; Western Military Institute in Kentucky; and Virginia Military Institute, to mention a few.
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| SCF 76 - This is an excellent dug flower button with a desirable early Benedict & Burnham backmark. It measures 23 mm in diameter and is a fine button to add to your collection, loaded with gilt and super detail! *$39.99 |
| SCF1 - This flower button measures 20 mm in diameter. It has a beautiful semi-mellow patina to the face and it is non-dug. More brilliant gold on the back and the backmark is "Extra Rich Super Fine". This is a beautiful button. *$34.99 Sold |
| SCF2 - Here we have a large overcoat sized Confederate button, dug in a Confederate position in South Carolina; the exact location is unknown. This example has a beautiful display of gold, measures 23 mm in diameter, shank loop is bent. *$34.99 Sold |
| SCF3 - This is a very magnificent and beautiful flower button and it's one of the best that I've seen in regards to having the gilt in all of the right places. It's just a fine example, it measures 21 mm and has the Scovills Co Double Gilt backmark with various designs and stand up shank loop and an excellent slick brown patina elsewhere. This particular button will make a feature button in anyone's collection. *$59.99 Sold |
| SCF4 - This is an overcoat sized example, measures 25 mm in diameter. It is silver plated and has fine detail and the backmark is a crown and wreath. *$44.99 |
| SCF5 - This example is a low convex two piece button with lots of gold. It has a slightly bent shank loop. The backmark is semi-discernable. This flower button measures 23 mm in diameter and it was found in a Richmond, Virginia camp. *$49.99 |
| SCF6 - This is a non-dug, low convex, flower button. It has a slight bend to the shank loop and I can only discern the crude word "Extra" in a depressed channel. The face is very beautiful with multi-diamond features and excellent craftsmanship. $34.99 |
| SCF7 - This is a pair of cuff links. These were excavated from the Shiloh Battlefield area. These measure 12 mm each in diameter, both have shank loops, plenty of gilt and fine detail. Sold |
| SCF8 - This is a large overcoat sized button, measuring 24 mm in diameter. This flower button has a checkered example. The mold seam is clearly visible, applied shank loop. Sold |
| SCF9 - This button came out of a South Carolina collection. It's a two-piece, low convex button and it's missing the shank loop. This flower button measures 21 mm and it's a real pretty button. *$21.99 Sold |
| SCF10 - This is a non-dug (non-battlefield) flower button. It measures 20 mm in diameter, has Extra Rich Gilt backmark, brass back, stand up shank loop. This example has no pushes or dents and it is a low convex button; a very attractive example. *$39.99 |
| SCF11 - Here is a nice flower button. It has a B & B Extra backmark with plenty of gold. This button is slightly convex, with an applied shank loop, measures 16 mm in diameter. *$44.99 |
| SCF12 - This is an overcoat sized button, it's a low convex, two piece flower button. This example has nice detail. *$34.99 |
| SCF13 - This is a very nice, early flower button. It has a Benedict & Burnham backmark - which is a known maker of military buttons. This maker, Benedict & Burnham, became the Waterbury Button Company later on in 1849. So this button is probably 1830-1840's it's a very early flower button in excellent dug condition (measures 23 mm). *$39.99 |
| SCF14 - This is a low convex, overcoat size flower button. It has the early Scovills Waterbury backmark on the outer edges of the circle and Super Fine on the inner edges. This button has a nice, chocolate patina with traces of gilt. $39.99 |
| SCF15 - Here is an excellent little flower button, it measures 13 mm in diameter. This small button has excellent gilt and detail, it's low convex, kepi or cuff sized example. It has the depressed channel on the back and all that I can make out is the word "Extra" in the backmark in raised letters - beautiful button. *$34.99 |
| SCF16 - This next button is a beautifully cast button glistening with gold. It measures 19 mm in diameter and it's a terrific flower button. *$34.99 |
| SCF17 - This is a non-dug flower button, it shows some signs of wear. It still has plenty of beautiful gold. This example has a stand up shank loop and an Ives Kendrick & Co. Super Fine backmark. This is an 1837-1740's button. $44.99 |
| SCF18 - Glistening in gold finish, this button has a stand up shank loop. It's a low convex, two piece button with a really nice flower design. This example measures 21 mm in diameter. *$39.99 |
| SCF19 - This button has a very early Robinson & Jones Extra backmarked button. This button dates from 1828 to 1834 when Jones sold out his interests. This button has a beautiful, sharp backmark; shank loop is bent but present - it's a heavy cast button with a beautiful flowered design. *$39.99 Sold |
| SCF20 - This next button is a non-dug flower button. It is a Benedict & Burnham backmark flower button, 1834 to 1843. This button is in excellent condition. Sold |
| SCF21 - Here is a very early example (23 mm). It has a Robinson's Extra rich backmark. Robinson's dates on back to the early 1800's, this one is probably an 1825-1835. Robinson was a noted military supplier of buttons, later on D. Evans Company took over the manufacturing of uniform buttons from Robinson by the Civil War. This particular button is a two piece button, it has a very high dome for the period and no pushes or dents. On the face is an excellent display of stars & circles with gilt on all the right places. This is a very attractive button. *$49.99 |
| SCF22 - This is a flat style flower button with an applied shank. It's silver plated with very unusual edging and flower design. 19 mm. *$39.99 |
| SCF23 - This button has a Scovills Extra Superfine backmark. It's a very nice & sturdy two piece button. Beautiful design with a fair amount of gold and a stand up shank loop. This example dates between 1840-1850. *$44.99 |
| SCF24 - A overcoat size button, appears to be a Scovill's Extra Fine Waterbury button. It has a tremendous amount of gold on the face. This is a very displayable example, measures 24 mm in diameter. *$44.99 |
| SCF25 - Non-dug button, beautifully etched flower design, stand up shank loop. the backmark is Maslan & Co. Philadelphia (18.5 mm). Beautiful button. *$39.99 |
| SCF26 - This is a non-dug flower button. It has a Kendrick & Co. Extra backmark, stand up shank loop. Button makers c. 1830's, probably the same firm as Ives Kendrick & Company. This button has a very unusual design, it a beautiful , non-dug example (20 mm). *$49.99 |
| SCF27 - This next button, with stars and bars, is a beautiful button. It appears to be a Scovills - I can't quite make out the backmark. It's a low convex, two piece example & a very exceptional example. *$44.99 |
| SCF28 - This excavated flower button has an Extra Rich Gilt backmark, it's a 2 pc. button. Measures 19 mm in diameter. Great design & detail, very displayable example. Extremely beautiful gilt on all of the right places. *$24.99 |
| SCF29 - This is a very fine example. It has gilt in all the right places, front and back. A super beautiful flower design etched onto the front, chocolate patina; Extra Rich backmark, stand up shank loop. Measures 19 mm, this button is magnificent! *$64.99 |
| SCF30 - Here's a nice coat sized flower button, loaded with gold. It's a two piece button, it does have a push in the back but as you can see it does not affect the beauty of this button in any way. This example has an early, Scovills Superfine backmark. *$49.99 |
| SCF31 - This is a good, early 1830 - 1840's button. It's a cuff sized example, has a Robinson's Extra backmark. This example's loaded with gilt, super detail, a very attractive button. *$49.99 |
| SCF32 - Ives & Kendrick Extra backmark, early 1837 - 1840's button. It's a 2 pc. coat size example, low convex, and it has a very beautiful design. *$44.99 Sold |
| SCF33 - Beautiful, low convex, one piece, non-dug example. With it's applied shank loop, this button is loaded with beautiful gilt, an excellent design and it's an all around excellent example, measuring 22 mm. *$39.99 |
| SCF34 - This example has a Benedict & Burnham Extra backmark. It's a super nice, 2 pc. flower button with a beautiful, raised design on a stippled field with a border. Has an excellent patina, stand up shank loop and this button is loaded with gold - good early 1840's button. *$39.99 Pending |
| SCF35 - Another great non-dug flower button! This one's real sharp, it's silver plated, excellent design, low convex button. Has a blank, tin back, standing shank loop (13 mm). *$39.99 |
| SCF36 - Non-dug button, blank backmark, two piece button with concentric rings in back. It's a very beautiful brass button, measures 19 mm in diameter. Terrific non-dug example! *$44.99 |
| SCF37 - This button has an excellent face for an excavated button. It's loaded with gold, has tin back and measures 16 mm in diameter. Beautiful little button. *$34.99 |
| SCF38 - This is a high dome, kepi sized button. It has a tin back & measures 13 mm in diameter. You don't often see the high dome style buttons in this good of shape, this is a terrific example. *$49.99 |
| SCF39 - This button has a blank brass back and floating style shank loop. It's a low convex button with gold gilt in the right places, a beautiful design & tight button (14mm). *$34.99 |
| SCF40 - This example is a very tight button. It has a round flower design with spokes in the center & a stippled field - a real tight low convex flower button. This button measures 21 mm in diameter and has a blank backmark. *$44.99 |
| SCF41 - This coat sized button has a splendid, ornate decoration on the front, and the W. H. Jones & Co. Extra backmark. W. H. Jones, Waterbury Connecticut (1835-1840), was the former partner of Robinsons, he left Massachusetts in late 1834 & began making buttons in Waterbury. *$49.99 |
| SCF42 - A gorgeous, low convex, 2 pc. button with a brass back, concentric ring & floating style shank loop. There's an excellent, chocolate patina on the brass but just look at all the gold. This is a very displayable button! (19 mm). *$41.99 |
| SCF43 - This example is non-dug, high dome brass button. It's loaded with gold and has a remarkably beautiful design and a good, early Scovill MFG. Co Waterbury backmark. 16 mm. *$37.00 |
| SCF44 - A good, early Scovills Superfine backmark. This is a 2 pc. button with border, a handsome raised decoration on a stippled field. Raised letters, depressed channel. Gorgeous button! *$34.99 |
| SCF45 - This button has a Scovills Waterbury backmark. It's a nice, thick button with a raised pattern and an ornate border & flower design on a stippled field (16 mm). Very attractive button. *$44.99 |
| SCF46 - A stunningly gorgeous, high dome, coat sized flower button. Has the star on the front, beautiful design - very desirable. This button has a good, early W. H. Jones & Co. Superfine backmark. A great 1840 - 1850's button. *$49.99 |
| SCF47 - This is a splendid button (19 mm). The face is very impressive, it's loaded with silver plate - which is very scarce as you can see compared to all of the other buttons we have here. I can't quite make out the backmark; this is a beautiful, fine-looking flower button! *$59.99 |
| SCF48 - A 2 pc., low convex button with a very ornamental design on a stippled field. It also has a very attractive back with the maker's mark, perhaps you can make it out. *$39.99 Sold |
| SCF49 - This button has a very elaborate, raised design on a semi-stippled & lined field. It has the gold on the back & has a blank backmark. Beautiful example. *$39.99 |
| SCF50 - A two piece, low convex, coat sized button. Has a stand up shank loop, no pushes or dents. Beautiful basket weave design. I can't quite make out the backmark on this example. *$39.99 |
| SCF51 - Real nice, unusual silver plated flower button. This flower button boasts some unique features, mainly the flower in the center & the stippled, raised hump surrounded by concentric rings & a bursting border. A very beautiful dug button, 20 mm. *$34.99 |
| SCF52 - This button has some unique features. One of those is it's wide & unusual shank loop. This button has a very sharp, definitive design stamped on the front. This button is not real thick, it measures 19 mm. *$34.99 |
| SCF53 - This button has an astounding amount of gold finish. It's a 2 pc. example with a brass back, missing shank loop. Gorgeous detail & a very impressive amount of gold for an excavated button. *$32.99 |
| SCF54 - Very beautiful & impressive design with lots of gilt. It's a 2 pc. button with blank backmark, still retains shank loop. This button measures 18 mm in diameter. *$34.99 |
| SCF55 - This next button is is a 2 pc. button with a chocolate patina & gilt in all the right places. Stand up shank loop, Benedict & Burnham button. *$32.99 |
| SCF56 - This example still retains the shank loop, although it is bent. I believe it has a tin back, it's not yet been cleaned, as you can see. A very fair amount of gold on the sharply detailed front. (19 mm). *$29.99 |
| SCF57 - This button has a B & Burnham Extra backmark. It's a very well made button, of course Burnham always had some nice buttons. This example is uncleaned, I believe that if this button were cleaned it would have a lot more gold beneath that patina. This is a very beautiful flower button, overcoat sized (24 mm). *$39.99 |
| SCF58 - Non-dug, high dome, 2 pc. example. B & B MFG. Co. backmark. This button was made by Benedict & Burnham around 1849. A very charming non-dug button, well crafted (19 mm). *$44.99 |
| SCF59 - This button has a soft, chocolate patina & gilt in all the right places. It has a stand up shank loop, Wadhams & Co. Extra, this firm dates back around to 1835 & goes beyond 1850. This button is from around 1840's period. It's a one piece convex button with applied shank loop. *$44.99 |
| SCF60 - A white metal button, with a crude shank loop, you can still see the file marks. It has a blank backmark. Measures 17 mm. *$34.99 |
| SCF61 - Very unique 2 pc. button, a unique concave style. Very nice flower design, Scovill's Superfine backmark, an early 1800's button. (12 mm.) *$45.00 |
| SCF62 - Gorgeous, high dome flower button. It's a two piece example with gilt in all the right places, brass back, standing shank loop (15 mm). *$39.99 Sold |
| SCF63 - Early Rich Gold Color backmark. This is a 1 pc. button, it has a smooth chocolate brown patina, flower on a dotted field with a border. A super nice button! *$29.99 |
| SCF64 - This is a thinner, one piece, low convex button. This example has a nice, chocolate patina & an intricate flower etching to the front. Still retains the shank loop, measures 18 mm in diameter. *$29.99 |
| SCF65 - Thin style, excavated, one piece button. It has the concentric rings with a faint plaid design with in the rings, a double border, plated on the back, still retains shank loop. (16 mm) *$24.99 |
| SCF66 - This button still has thread attached. It's a very low convex, 2 pc. example with a brass back. I can read the backmark, this button has a chocolate patina with gilt in all of the right places. *$21.99 |
| SCF67 - This example is very displayable, it'll look great in your collection or in your exhibit. It has a brass back, missing shank loop. *$29.99 |
| SCF68 - This example is made of pewter & it's a solid cast flower button - very crude in it's casting. It is marked in the back, I can't quite make it out but maybe you can. (19 mm). *$39.99 |
| SCF69 - Fine flower design, still has gold in the depressed areas. This example has a blank, brass back, measures 19 mm. *$29.99 Sold |
| SCF70 - This button has a very neat design & a great, chocolate patina mixed with some deep green tints. It's in real good shape. *$34.99 |
| SCF71 - Lots of gold, it does have a slight push but it's also a desirable Benedict & Burnham Extra backmarked button. This is a very flat, 2 pc. example, measures 21 mm - great button. *$34.99 |
| SCF72 - This is a heavy cast example, it has a smooth, chocolate patina. Stand up shank loop, early Rich Gilt Color backmark, 22mm in diameter. *$29.99 |
| SCF73 - This is a nicely cast button, it has a Scovill's Waterbury backmark. Low convex example (21 mm) with a border. *$29.99 |
| SCF74 - This button is absolutely gorgeous! It's loaded with gold, has the tin back & the shank loop is still there. No pushes or dents, excellent & well crafted button *$39.99 |
| SCF75 - This is a very nice eight point starburst (or maybe it's a sunburst) with a rose in the center. It has lots of gold on the front & back, super detail, a good early Extra Rich backmark. 12 mm. *$24.99 |
Carved Bullets