You’ll identify military buttons by examining three key features: the front device design (eagles, anchors, or branch insignia), the back construction method (one-piece cast for colonial era, two-piece crimped for Civil War onward), and manufacturer stamps on the reverse. Measure the diameter with calipers—sizes range from 5/8 inch to 1 1/8 inch depending on application and era. Check material composition: pewter with integral shanks indicates pre-1830s, while tombac with soldered omega shanks emerged post-1800. The guide below reveals advanced techniques for pinpointing exact manufacturing periods and authenticating rare specimens.
Key Takeaways
- Examine front devices like eagles, anchors, or artillery insignia to identify military branch and rank affiliation.
- Check backmarks for manufacturer stamps, contract numbers, and quality marks to determine manufacturing period and authenticity.
- Measure button diameter with calipers; sizes indicate application like coat, cuff, or greatcoat across different eras.
- Assess material and construction: pewter shows cast shanks and mold seams; tombac features soldered omega shanks.
- Analyze shank attachment style: integrally cast indicates pre-1830s; mechanized crimped construction suggests post-1863 Civil War era.
Three Primary Characteristics for Dating Military Buttons
Dating military buttons accurately depends on examining three interconnected characteristics that collectors and historians rely upon to establish provenance.
First, you’ll analyze the front device—eagles, anchors, or artillery insignia reveal service branches and officer ranks. Historical context matters here, as certain designs persisted across multiple decades.
Second, examine back marks showing manufacturer stamps that operated during specific time windows, giving you precise dating information. Contract numbers on DA-stamped items indicate Korean and early Vietnam War periods. Some manufacturers operated only 1–2 years, making their buttons highly collectible and enabling precise dating. Common backmark styles include RMDC raised marks and DM depressed letters that help approximate manufacturing periods.
Third, assess material composition and construction methods. Two-piece versus three-piece brass construction, hard rubber dating between the 1850s and early 1900s, and Prosser ceramic buttons post-1840 provide essential collector tips.
These three characteristics combined prevent misidentification of fashion buttons mimicking military designs.
Understanding Button Construction Types and Time Periods
While examining military buttons for authentication, you’ll discover that construction methods evolved dramatically from the 1700s through the mid-1900s, with each technique corresponding to specific historical periods. One-piece cast buttons dominated colonial times, featuring integral shanks formed in molten brass or pewter.
Colonial-era military buttons reveal their authenticity through one-piece cast construction, with integral shanks formed directly in molten brass or pewter during manufacturing.
By 1813, Benj. Sanders revolutionized button manufacturing with two-piece construction—convex shells crimped over backplates—which prevailed through the Civil War.
Officers favored staff buttons from the 1830s, incorporating separate metal rims for enhanced durability and historical ornamentation.
Earlier blow hole buttons utilized soldered construction with venting holes for expanding gases.
You’ll also encounter specialized materials: Goodyear’s vulcanized rubber resisted naval corrosion, while horn buttons were dyed black from 1830 onward.
Waterbury’s mechanization achieved four buttons per minute by 1863, transforming military supply. The presence of manufacturer backmarks on button reverses helps trace production origins to companies like Scovill, Waterbury, and Robinson, providing crucial authentication evidence. The distinctive ball-like shape characterized buttons from 1812 to 1830, which were made from two parts joined during manufacturing and often featured embossed designs of military origin.
Decoding Device Designs by Military Branch
How can you distinguish one military branch from another through button iconography alone? You’ll recognize branches through their distinctive emblems and construction details.
Key identifiers include:
- Army buttons feature eagles clutching arrows and olive branches on convex ball clasping designs, with the Shield of the Republic marking general service.
- Navy buttons display anchors with eagles facing left (1852-1941), while sleeve arrangements indicate officer rank.
- Marine Corps buttons showcase the iconic eagle, globe, and anchor in gilt brass, emphasizing gold tones for dress uniforms.
Examine maker marks from manufacturers like Scovill and Horstmann to date pre-Civil War specimens.
Air Force buttons present sleeker, polished eagles with modern textures.
Civil Affairs and Artillery branches use specialized devices—globes with torches or crossed field guns respectively.
The materials evolved from wood and bone in early production to brass and copper as manufacturing capabilities expanded during the 19th century. Post-war buttons demonstrate improved manufacturing techniques with sharper relief and more standardized features compared to their antebellum counterparts.
Standard Military Button Sizes and Their Applications
Understanding military button dimensions requires familiarity with the ligne measurement system, where 1 ligne equals 1/40 inch.
You’ll find modern military jackets use 36-ligne (7/8 inch) buttons on fronts, while cuffs take 25-ligne (5/8 inch) buttons. Coat buttons measure 45-ligne (1 1/8 inch).
During the Civil War era, Federal greatcoat buttons measured 5/8 inch, with uniform coats requiring 11 buttons total.
Historical changes occurred in March 1861 when greatcoat buttons increased from 3/4 to 7/8 inch. The 1861 revision aligned enlisted buttons with officer-sized buttons for uniformity across ranks.
Army coat buttons evolved from 19-20mm (1852-1875) to 21mm (1875-1902).
You’ll match brass buttons with dress uniforms and black buttons with field uniforms.
Proper insignia placement depends on uniform fabric weight, with buttonholes sized 3mm larger than button diameter for functional wear. Use a vernier caliper to measure button diameter accurately when identifying military buttons or verifying specifications against historical records.
Reading Backmarks and Manufacturer Stamps
Military button identification extends beyond external measurements to the markings stamped on reverse surfaces during manufacture. These backmarks—produced through die stamping—include company names, initials, addresses, and pictorial trademarks that you’ll find essential for authentication.
Historical context emerges through three key marking categories:
1. Quality marks (Treble Gilt, Extra Fine, Best Orange) appear on pre-1830 one-piece flat buttons.
“Extra Quality” indicates 1860s-70s Civil War era production.
2. Maker’s stamps facilitate dating through cross-referencing trade directories and resources like Tice’s chronology.
3. Military-specific backmarks feature eagle-and-shield combinations denoting infantry, cavalry (eagle with sea), or artillery (with “A”).
Collector tips: Though often partially illegible on recovered buttons, backmarks remain instrumental for site dating when combined with stamping style analysis and manufacturer documentation from Albert’s Record or Birmingham-London maker lists. Two-piece buttons with gilt became standard military issue by the 1830s, replacing earlier brass constructions in US forces. Button manufacturers with operations in Birmingham included firms like Buttons Ltd., established around 1825 on Great Charles Street, which contributed to the extensive British button-making trade that supplied international markets.
Distinguishing One-Piece Flat Buttons From Early Eras
Shank construction provides essential authentication evidence.
Examine the button’s reverse for shanks either cast integrally with the button body or soldered separately from the same material. Look for cast metal flanges indicating “cast in boss” attachment, or two tiny dots marking Alpha shank points on copper alloy specimens.
Archaeological sites predating 1830 yield these buttons abundantly, making them reliable chronological markers for identifying Revolutionary War and early Federal period military equipment.
Identifying Two-Piece Convex Buttons From the 1830S Onward
By the 1830s, button manufacturers had revolutionized military fasteners through Benjamin Sanders’s 1813 invention of the two-piece convex construction. You’ll recognize these buttons by their distinctive dome-shaped profile and superior durability compared to earlier flat designs.
The assembly method involved crimping a convex front shell over a back plate with brazed wire shank.
Collector tips for authentication:
- Examine the back for construction seams where the front shell folds over the back plate
- Check for blow holes—tiny venting holes used during soldering that reflect belle epoque trends in manufacturing
- Measure diameter ranges from 15mm to seven-eighths inch for officer variants
These buttons served through the Civil War era, displaying intricate embossed military insignias that flat buttons couldn’t support.
Recognizing Pewter and Tombac Button Materials
When examining early military buttons, you’ll encounter two primary white metal materials: pewter and tombac, each with distinct manufacturing signatures and historical periods.
Pewter buttons dominated colonial through early 19th-century military uniforms, cast as single pieces with integral shanks and visible mold seams on their backs.
Tombac, a copper alloy, emerged in one-piece button construction after 1800, featuring soldered omega-shaped shanks that distinguish it from cast pewter’s thick, integral attachment points.
Pewter Composition and History
Although pewter buttons have served military uniforms for centuries, understanding their composition proves essential for accurate identification and authentication.
You’ll find pewter alloy variations considerably impact button quality and historical accuracy. High-quality military buttons contain approximately 98% tin, while inferior examples incorporated lead—making them heavy and prone to staining uniforms.
Historical manufacturing techniques reveal distinct construction methods:
- British enlisted buttons featured iron wire loops inserted into molds before pewter pouring.
- American officer buttons combined copper foil faces with horn or bone bases.
- Modern reproductions cast shanks integral to button bodies for superior durability.
Britannia pewter represents the authentic standard for period-accurate military buttons.
You’ll notice original buttons often exhibit structural failures—separated loops on British examples and warped bases on American officer buttons demonstrate common deterioration patterns from these early production methods.
Tombac Alloy Characteristics
While pewter dominated enlisted ranks and economy-grade buttons, tombac alloy emerged as the preferred material for military buttons requiring durability without the expense of pure brass.
You’ll recognize tombac by its pale yellow-white appearance when uncorroded, though cast examples develop characteristic grey patination.
Alloy composition variations range from high-copper formulas (82-90% copper, 5-20% zinc) to specialized military grades containing trace lead and tin for enhanced workability.
The Union Army extensively utilized this cheap, malleable alloy during the Civil War, mass-producing stamped and pressed buttons from the 1760s onward.
Tombac corrosion patterns differ markedly from pewter’s degradation—you’ll find it resists deterioration far better, maintaining structural integrity even on excavated specimens.
The convex profile and soldered shanks typify military applications requiring field durability.
Material Identification Techniques
How can you distinguish pewter from tombac when examining military buttons in the field or collections? You’ll need to assess several diagnostic characteristics that reveal each material’s unique properties.
Three Primary Identification Methods:
- Color analysis – Pewter displays white or silver tones, while tombac exhibits yellow-copper hues.
- Metal corrosion patterns – Pewter develops lighter oxidation; tombac shows greenish verdigris.
- Patina development – Pewter forms uniform gray surface layers; tombac creates varied brown-green coatings.
Examine mold seams on pewter button backs and cast eye marks. Check for iron shanks, indicating post-1800 manufacture. Pewter buttons feature thicker cast shanks compared to tombac’s stamped construction.
Officer-grade pewter displays neater finishing than enlisted versions. Maker marks frequently appear on pewter backs, particularly after 1800, providing essential dating evidence for your identification process.
Staff Buttons and Gilt Construction Features
Staff buttons represent a significant evolution in military uniform fastener design. They feature three-piece construction that combines a convex front, flat back, and connecting rim or ring.
Staff buttons revolutionized military fasteners through innovative three-piece construction combining convex fronts, flat backs, and connecting rims.
You’ll recognize these hollow rounded designs by their distinctive circular depression at the shank’s base during the Civil War period. Historical uniform evolution saw their invention in the 1830s for US military use, continuing until 1902.
The gilt brass construction resists tarnish while reflecting light, conveying prestige and rank distinction. Decorative metal techniques included gold plating applied to the domed “ball” shape, chosen for durability and craftability.
Manufacturers like Scovill and Horstmann produced these through two-piece hollow construction with brazed shanks.
You’ll find General Staff buttons displaying spread eagles clutching arrows and olive branches, with sharper relief features appearing post-Civil War.
Modern Era Military Button Materials and Uses
The twentieth century brought dramatic material changes to military button manufacturing as synthetic polymers replaced traditional metals in many applications.
You’ll find melamine buttons dominated US Navy uniforms from the 1940s onward, offering lightweight durability and non-flammable properties that ceramic predecessors lacked.
Modern military specifications prioritize three critical factors:
- Material durability – ABS resin and nylon withstand chemical exposure while maintaining structural integrity
- Environmental impact – Zinc and brass alloys remain recyclable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics
- Collectible value – Earlier copper and pewter buttons command premium prices among historians
Today’s workwear incorporates stainless steel and die-cast options for maximum strength.
You’ll notice snap-style brass buttons feature hollow interiors, reducing weight without sacrificing the robustness military applications demand on heavy fabric uniforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Safely Clean Military Buttons Without Damaging the Patina or Markings?
You’ll preserve your button’s integrity through gentle cleaning with hydrogen peroxide or mild soap, stopping immediately if gilt appears. Patina preservation requires avoiding aggressive methods—use Renaissance wax for protection, never electrolysis on military pieces.
What Is the Typical Market Value Range for Civil War Era Military Buttons?
Picture worn brass gleaming in your hand—Civil War buttons range from mere dollars for common pieces to thousands for rare finds. Button rarity and valuation factors like manufacturer marks, Confederate origin, and dug condition determine your treasure’s worth.
Are Reproduction Buttons Common and How Can I Authenticate Genuine Antique Buttons?
Reproduction buttons are common, but you’ll authenticate genuine antiques through reproduction detection methods like back mark analysis and manufacturer stamps. Authenticity markers include blow hole features, period-correct construction techniques, and documented maker’s marks from established reference guides.
Where Are the Best Locations to Metal Detect for Finding Historic Military Buttons?
History’s treasure troves await at historical battlefield locations, old fort sites, and former military camps. You’ll find the richest pickings when you secure private land permissions near Civil War sites, trenches, and 1860s-1890s western forts where soldiers dropped countless buttons.
How Should I Properly Store and Preserve Military Buttons for Long-Term Collection?
Store your military buttons in acid-free, non-PVC materials, keeping items separated to prevent scratches. Apply proper button cleaning techniques first—dry brushing, then waxing—before using protective coatings. These proper storage solutions guarantee your collection’s long-term preservation and accessibility.
References
- https://inkspotantiques.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1
- https://www.metaldetectingworld.com/buttons.shtml
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTxAbGqrIu4
- https://www.daacs.org/wp-content/uploads/buttons.pdf
- https://www.patriotrelics.com/how-to-clean-and-preserve-dug-button-types-lp
- https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/173001-us-military-uniform-buttons-interesting-facts/
- https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/militaryallmetal00wate
- https://metaldetectingforum.com/index.php?threads/button-identifier.308745/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fZM6vS28hc
- https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/military-buttons-identification/td-p/31578919
