Mass Volunteer Militia Button Info?

[James B. in Mass]

No, I don't have an Albert's book yet, but hope to rectify that soon. A friend found the following button at one of our usual hunting spots, but because he doen't have internet access, I told him I would research age, type, etc.

It is a little smaller than a dime, tin or pewter, and one-piece. Cannot make out a makers mark on the back yet. All of the Mass. Volunteer Militia buttons that I see online are two-piece and date to the Civil War. Any button experts out there who might be able to offer a little more information? Your help is greatly appretiated.

[attachment 69668 Militia_small.JPG]

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

I see letters "SVO". Can you show the back?

 

[James B. in Mass]

The SVO are the letters in MASS VOLUNTEER. MILITIA is the word under the raised arm holding the sword. You can zoom in the picture and see the details.

Ironically, I live in the town of Bedford Massachusetts and the raised arm and sword was taken from the Bedford Flag which was supposedly the first Battleflag of the US and flew at the battle of Lexington. The button is definitely post-Revolutionary War but I was wondering if it predated the Civil War as it is one-piece and appears cruder than the two-piece Militia buttons from that era.

 

[Anonymous]

Judging from your picture, the patina resembles brass. There are tiny spots of green, which indicate copper that has leached to the surface. Copper is an alloy of brass. I can't tell much more than that as the pic is too dark. If there is a back mark, that will date the button. Nice find! David@Dixie