Any Ideas? A button?

[Jeff in Pa]

Not sure about this one, I found this a few years ago and it ended up being laid down on a shelf that had fresh paint on it, hence the paint on the back.

It has the Eagle and shield on it. Was there buttons that were Hollow in the middle? Looks as if it was crushed a bit and the backer broke off?

If so when sort of date would havee this been made? BTW its about the diameter of a U.S. nickel

Thanks,

 

[7centsworth]

It looks like a two piece button to me. It looks alot like a civil war staff officer button. But I do not think it is with no back mark.

 

[brianc577]

Plenty of CW period buttons like this one did not have backmarks. There is some debate about who actually wore these, they are generally refered to as "staff officer" buttons but they are so common they may have been used by a wider range of ranks. The same design was also used well past the CW so they are hard to date. Nice button, lets asssume it CW.

 

[Aarong81]

The design on the front of this button was used upto about 1902. Afterwhich, The Great Seal designed was used. BUT.....even with some damage on the back(its still all there) it is still evident that it is a shankless or 'self-shank' button. This type of shank was not used until well after 1902 and was never made for military issue. Any button with this type shank was made for civilian use which explains why it used an obsolete front design.

Here is some source info, see page 2....
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/158955-button-experts-2.html
The button up for ID on that page differs some but the shank is the tale-tale design of a fashion button.

Also, this 2-piece button is trying to copy the original 3-piece New York Excelsior button. I believe yours says Excelsior under the eagle as well. Also note that the shield uses the New York Militia design. Here is an authentic version here..... Key differences are the wings, lack of a 3-piece design and the type of shank.
http://relicman.com/buttons/imagesbuttons/B6040A.JPG
http://relicman.com/buttons/imagesbuttons/B6040B.JPG
Source for the button pictured above.....
http://relicman.com/buttons/zBackmarkSmithWH.htm
Third button down.

 

[brianc577]

Aarong81--You are GOOD!!!!!!

 

[Jeff in Pa]

Wow Aarong thats alot of info!! Thanks very much and I am saving the link!!

Again Thanks!

 

[Aarong81]

hehe, thx. I'm just surprised Taz didn't beat me to the ID. Thats the pro around here.
Here is another button that seems to be just like yours. I chimed in on that ID prematurely and corrected myself more than once before getting close to an accurate ID. I might add, The self-shank was not used until "ABOUT" 1938 according to patents. This seems to be on the modern side but until I see more info on the self-shank I would have to assume the patent is a close estimate.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?40,1798376,1798383

And the patent was first applied for in 1938, granted in 1939.
SHANKLESS button patent