Shanks inset into holes in the button is typical after World War I. Civil War era buttons may show a circular depression at the base around the shank. Two-piece hollow rounded buttons held together by a thin rim ('staff' buttons) were invented in the 1830s and used until 1902. Two pieces crimped together were first made about 1813. A two-piece button with a brazed shank is typical of 19th century. A one-piece button with a brazed shank (soldered appearance) is a design common in the 18th century, but was also made after. Some rules of thumb of age can be made as to how the shank is attached. Finally, the back mark may not only indicate the manufacturer, but if a particular mark or the manufacturer was in existence for a narrow time period, you can further pin down the likely age and use of a button. The buttons construction also offers a guide to age. Keep in mind that certain devices were used for many decades, so other clues are needed. First the 'device' (design) identifies the service or state militia that used it, and generally when it was used. Here is what it originally looked like before It was lost, and I fried it with proxide.US Military Uniform Button IdentificationĪ uniform button's use and age is principally determined by three characteristics, usually considered together. Navy Button (back) Scoville MFG Co Waterbury I tried to get my macro setting on my camera working, but the pics come out blurry. The peroxide bath removed a piece of the patina off the token. The other side says: The Federal Union Must and Shall Be Preserved with 13 stars One side has a Wreath with an anchor, swords and says Army And Navy So I get my indian back home and give it a hot peroxide bath, well it turns out to not be an Indian, its a Army Navy civil war token.

I think I only found 3/4 last year so I am blowing last years total away. I find lots of lead, bullet casings, horse shoe like thing, wedge for cutting wood?Īt the end of my hunt I go back to the place where I found the coins earlier, and I pull a really really worn 1917 Mercury dime. (see below)īy another tree I get a nice Navy Button, Scoville MFG Co Waterbury

I dug two wheats early in my hunt, 1934, and 1939. I went to an old spot in Lyndeborough NH where I found an Indian head in a prior hunt.

Civil war navy buttons metal detecting