Civil War buttons, Union and Confederate

	The Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway.
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!). Authentic Civil War relics, bought and sold. relicman.com.
	This page updated February 02, 2012.

Civil War buttons, Relicman sales catalog, page 1.

Page one presents items for sale, item numbers up to B5399, please refer to Relicman stock number when ordering.

All items listed are guaranteed authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described.
Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.

B4290 Confederate artillery button, lined "A" on plain background with border, English import, Smith Kemp Wright, (19.5mm)

Button depicts lined block "A", on plain background with a border, intended for Confederate artillery troops, manufactured in England and smuggled through the blockade. Backmark: "SMITH KEMP & WRIGHT/ (dot) BIRMINGHAM (dot) "dm, outer ring of dots, inner ring of sunrays, English maker, (SmithKemp04). Two part low convex button, coat size, well made English button, shank is fixed not floating. Dug button. Recovered: Moncks Corner, South Carolina near Charleston.
Ref: Albert CS103, not listed, Tice CSA206B2, (mischaracterized). $600.

B4660 Massachusetts button, New England Guard "NEG", R & W Robinson on ribbon, (21mm)

Button depicts "NEG", New England Guard was formed about 1812, enjoyed a long tradition from Boston Mass, was organized into the 24th Mass Infantry and served with distinction. Backmark: "R & W. ROBINSON" dm on a ribbon reading counter clockwise, eagle between the ends, ca 1830's 1840's, (RobinsonRW01). Two part convex button, coat size. Nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS76 Tice MS264A1. $100.

B4773 North Carolina button, state seal ladies Liberty and Plenty, southern wartime manufacture, plain wide channel with star, narrow center, drilled shank made from copper sheet, (22.5mm)

Button depicts the seal of North Carolina, ladies Liberty and Plenty, intended for troops of North Carolina, southern wartime manufacture. Backmark: blank depressed wide channel imperfectly formed, narrow area around shank with variance of dimension, star in the channel is often weak and may be obscured by corrosion, a worn die or debris during stamping, shank is drilled from sheet copper, likely made by Wildt, (BlankSouthern390). Two part convex button, coat size, crudely stamped and assembled southern "local", button was made from poor quality sheet metal, which will often show crimping or lamination, the shank was made from scraps of the sheet metal drilled, a substitution for wire earlier used. Nondug button was not gilded, drilled shank intact, dark appearance is probably from the poor quality metal and storage in a barn, this is terrific example of very crude late war manufacture in the south.
Ref: Albert NC8C, TiceNC210C1, variant with drilled shank. $225.

B5130 Pennsylvania button, state seal, horses with symbols of agriculture and commerce, staff officer, Horstmann Brothers & Co Phil, (22.6mm)

Button depicts state seal of Pennsylvania, two horses facing right over a coat of arms with symbolism of agriculture and commerce, intended for officers of Pennsylvania militia units. Backmark: "HORSTMANN BROTHERS & CO / (dot) PHIL (dot) " dm between two rings of dots. Ca 1860, probably manufactured by Steele & Johnson for Horstmann, (HorstmannB03). Three part officer or staff button, coat size. Nondug button, with shank.
Ref: PA18 not listed, Tice PA203A3. $225.

B5168 North Carolina button, state seal ladies Ladies Liberty and Plenty, southern wartime manufacture, S A Myers Richmond Va, rmdc, (22.5mm)

Button depicts the seal of North Carolina, ladies Liberty and Plenty, intended for troops of North Carolina, southern wartime manufacture. Backmark: "S. A. MYERS / RICHMOND VA." rmdc, wartime manufacture attributed to S. A Myers, Richmond, Virginia, (Myers01). Two part convex button, coat size, crudely stamped and assembled southern "local". Dug button, stand up shank, readable backmark. Recovered: central Virginia.
Ref: Albert NC8, Tice NC210A1. $200.

B5244 Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with no stars on a lined field, no border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back, (18.6mm)

Confederate wartime manufacture for officers, eagle facing left with wings in relaxed position, no stars, lined field and no border, very crude design, one of the rarest of the locals and only made in this size. Two part high convex medium size button, probably intended for an officer's hat. Backmark: blank back, flat surface, raised area around the shank, crude construction, unknown "local" manufacture, (BlankSouthern320). Dug button was badly cracked, and has been glued back together and filled, no parts were added and button is now very solid and will display well. Recovered: Corinth, Mississippi.
Ref: Albert CS41B, Tice CS287A1. $500.

B5372 Confederate Navy button, "CSN" anchor with two bands on lined background with rope border, English wartime manufacture, Firmin & Sons, Strand & Conduit St., (22.4mm)

Button depicts fluted anchor on lined field, rope border, with "CSN", very high quality English manufactured button intended for Confederate officers. Backmark: "FIRMIN & SONS / (dot) 153 STRAND LONDON (dot) / & 13 / CONDUIT. ST" dm middle solid ring, flat back, English manufacture (Firmin06). Two part coat size button, very high convex button with strong features. Nondug button is gilded, stand up shank.
Ref: Albert CS52A, Tice CSN202A1. Sold.

B5391 Confederate infantry button, stippled "I" on plain background with border, English wartime manufacture, H T & B, (24mm)

Button depicts stippled block "I", intended for Confederate infantry troops, manufactured in England and smuggled through the blockade. Backmark: "H T & B / (star) MANCHESTER (star) " dm on a very flat back, outer ring of dots, English manufacture, (Hammond01). Two part convex button, coat size, well made English manufacture, flat brass back has tendency to loosen and rotate, button was lightly gold washed. Nondug button, stand up shank, back is tight.
Ref: Albert CS171A, Tice CSI200A1. Sold.

B5395 Confederate infantry button, block "I" on plain background with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, iron back with ring of dots, and copper shank, (22.5mm)

Button depicts simple block "I" on plain field with border, intended for Confederate infantry troops, southern wartime manufacture, a "local". The size and dimensions of the "I" can vary considerably suggesting that multiple manufacturers may have been employed. Backmark: blank iron back, ring of dots loosely spaced, two inner solid rings, no marks, back is crudely crimped, (BlankSouthern510). Two part convex button, coat size, crudely stamped and assembled southern "local", brass face with iron back, copper wire shank. Nondug button, stand up shank intact.
Ref: Albert CS182B (iron back), Tice CSI243B2. $500.

B5398 Federal artillery button, eagle with "A", raised shield, Superior Quality dm between rings, (19.3mm)

Button depicts eagle with "A" for artillery, generally intended for officers of artillery but also used by enlisted. Backmark: " SUPERIOR / (two graphics) QUALITY (two graphics) " dm between two solid rings, maker not known ca 1840's(Superior07). Two part coat size button, low convex. Nondug button with shank.
Ref: Albert AY71 to 76 not listed, Tice AY206A16. $85.

B5415 North Carolina button, state seal Ladies Liberty and Plenty, southern wartime manufacture, S A Myers, (22.5mm)

Button depicts the seal of North Carolina, ladies Liberty and Plenty, wartime manufacture for North Carolina troops. Backmark: "S. A. MYERS / RICHMOND VA." rmdc, crudely stamped, wartime "local" (Myers01). Two part coat size button, crudely stamped and assembled, brass or copper wire shank. Nondug button is gilded, nicely toned, stand up shank, crisp backmark.
Ref: Albert NC8A, Tice NC210A1. $750.

B5416 North Carolina button, state seal ladies Liberty and Plenty, southern wartime manufacture, plain narrow channel with star, wide center, brass or copper wire shank, (22.5mm)

Button depicts the seal of North Carolina, ladies Liberty and Plenty, intended for troops of North Carolina, southern wartime manufacture. Backmark: blank depressed narrow channel well formed, with star, wide flat area around shank with some variance of dimension, copper or brass wire shank, likely made by Wildt, (BlankSouthern370). Two part convex button, coat size, crudely stamped and assembled southern "local", copper wire shank spot brazed. Nondug button, gilded, stand up shank intact.
Ref: Albert NC8C, TiceNC210C1. $550.

B5418 Michigan state seal button, elk and moose, officer staff, Goddard Bro Extra, dm between rings, (22.4mm)

Button depicts the state seal of Michigan, an elk, moose and an eagle, with a hunter inside the shield, intended for officers of Michigan militia units. Backmark: "GODDARD & BRO/ (dot) (star) (dot) EXTRA (dot) (star) (dot)" dm between rings, Scovill manufactured 1860's, (Goddard02). Three part officer button, coat size. Dug button with gilding, shank intact, small push in the back. Recovered: West Point Kentucky, site of 9th Michigan Infantry, action December 1861.
Ref: Albert MG4C, Tice MG205C1. $225.

B5420 Michigan state seal button, elk and moose, officer staff, Goddard Bro Extra, dm between rings, (22.4mm)

Button depicts the state seal of Michigan, an elk, moose and an eagle, with a hunter inside the shield, intended for officers of Michigan militia units. Backmark: "GODDARD & BRO/ (dot) (star) (dot) EXTRA (dot) (star) (dot)" dm between rings, Scovill manufactured 1860's, (Goddard02). Three part officer button, coat size. Dug button is attractive, stand up shank intact. Recovered: West Point Kentucky, site of 9th Michigan Infantry, action December 1861.
Ref: Albert MG4C, Tice MG205C1. $125.

B5421 Michigan button, state seal elk and moose, officer staff, Extra Quality dm, (14.5mm)

Button depicts the state seal of Michigan, an elk, moose and an eagle, with a hunter inside the shield, intended for officers of Michigan militia units. Backmark: "EXTRA / (star) QUALITY (star)" dm inner solid ring, letters are not evenly spaced, used for small button only, ca 1860 (ExtraQ04small). Three part low convex officer button, hat or sleeve size. Dug button has some gilding, shank intact. Recovered: Bacon Creek, Hart County, Kentucky.
Ref: Albert MG4, not listed, Tice MG205As9. $100.

B5446 North Carolina button, state seal ladies Liberty and Plenty, officer staff, Mitchel & Tyler, Richmond Va, dm between rings, (22.5mm)

Button depicts state seal of North Carolina, ladies Liberty and Plenty, manufactured before the war for officers of North Carolina units. Backmark: "MITCHEL (sic) & TYLER / RICHMOND VA. " dm between rings of dots, inner solid ring, Scovill manufactured ca 1860, (Mitchell04). Three part officer staff button, coat size. Nondug button, gilded, stand up shank intact.
Ref: Albert NC2A2, Tice NC204A2. $1,800.

B5450     Confederate staff officer button, eagle facing right, Confederate wartime manufacture, channel back, (22.3mm)
Confederate wartime manufacture for officers, eagle facing right with wings in relaxed position, surrounded by 13 stars (13th star crowds the left wing tip and is very weak), three arrows in talon, lined background. Backmark: Blank back, wide channel includes the shank well, likely the product of C Rouyer, New Orleans, (BlankLocal21). Two part coat button, crude Confederate "local" construction.   Nondug button, shank intact but loose, was soldered once.
Ref: Albert CS25A1, Tice CS266A2.   $1,500.

B5469 Pennsylvania button, state seal, horses with symbols of agriculture and commerce, staff officer, Superior Quality, (23mm)

Button depicts state seal of Pennsylvania, two horses facing right over a coat of arms with symbolism of agriculture and commerce, intended for officers of Pennsylvania militia units. Backmark: "SUPERIOR / (star) QUALITY (star)" dm between two rings of dots, sloppy stamping, Steele & Johnson ca 1860, (Superior04). Three part officer staff button, coat size, stamping is often weak. Nondug button, gilded, stand up shank intact.
Ref: Albert PA18, Tice PA203A5. $225.

B5472 Pennsylvania button, state seal, horses with symbols of agriculture and commerce, staff officer, Horstmann Brothers & Co Phil, (22.6mm)

Button depicts state seal of Pennsylvania, two horses facing right over a coat of arms with symbolism of agriculture and commerce, intended for officers of Pennsylvania militia units. Backmark: "HORSTMANN BROTHERS & CO / (dot) PHIL (dot) " dm between two rings of dots. Ca 1860, probably manufactured by Steele & Johnson for Horstmann, (HorstmannB03). Three part officer or staff button, coat size. Nondug button, back is silvered, face gilded, shank intact.
Ref: PA18 not listed, Tice PA203A3. $225.

B5474 Pennsylvania button, state seal, horses with symbols of agriculture and commerce, staff officer, Extra Quality, dm between rings, stars dividing, without periods, (22.1mm)

Button depicts state seal of Pennsylvania, two horses over a coat of arms with symbolism of agriculture and commerce, intended for officers of Pennsylvania militia units. This die pattern features the horses both facing right and was the prevalent style before the war. This die pattern is attributed to Waterbury Button Co., the legs of the horses seem to run into the border. Backmark: "EXTRA / (star) QUALITY (star)" dm between rings of dots, this pattern has no periods and no inner ring, ca. 1860's, and could be transitional, (ExtraQ09). Three part officer staff button, coat size.
Ref: Albert PA18, Tice PA203C2. $200.

B5480 Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with 11 stars on a lined field with border, English wartime manufacture, H T & B, (24mm)

Confederate officer button, eagle on pedestal stiff posture facing left, surrounded by 11 stars. Backmark: "H T & B / (star) MANCHESTER (star)" dm on a very flat back, outer ring of dots, English manufacture, (Hammond01). Two part convex coat size button, flat brass back has tendency to work loose and rotate. Nondug gilded button, stand up shank, back is tight.
Ref: Albert CS36A1, TiceCS210A1. $1,000.

B5489 Georgia button, state seal dome over three pillars, southern wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (20.6mm)

Button depicts the state seal of Georgia, a dome bearing "Constitution" supported by three pillars, "Wisdom", "Justice", and "Moderation", intended for Georgia units, southern wartime manufacture. Backmark: blank depressed rounded channel, narrow area around shank with some variance of dimension, depressed well usually around the shank, copper or wire wire shank was fitted only and not brazed and is usually loose, likely the product of C Rouyer, New Orleans, (BlankSouthern340). Two part convex button, coat size, crudely stamped and assembled southern "local", back is brass and not iron, shank was fitted and not brazed and will typically work loose. Dug button, shank intact with wiggle. Recovered: Charleston South Carolina by Rocky Sommers.
Ref: Albert GA11A, Tice GA230A1. $200.

B5493 Virginia cadet button, Hampton Military Academy, Extra ****, (17mm)

Button depicts a building with "HMA", this is believed to be Hampton Military Academy, Hampton Virginia, a very small cadet school operating before the Civil War, in a single building which burned in 1861. Backmark: ""EXTRA / (star) (dot) (star) (dot) (star) (dot) (star)" rmdc, used for cadet coat or vest size buttons, (ExtraOther01). Two part convex button, school coat or vest size. Dug button is sharp, stand up shank, backmark is dim but definite. Recovered: not known.
Ref: Albert SU163, TiceVAS273Uncl.1. $550.

B5495 Louisiana button, state seal pelican facing left on a lined field with rope border, Scovill Mfg. Co, dm, (13.7mm)

Button depicts the state seal of Louisiana, a pelican feeding her young, intended for troops from Louisiana units. Backmark: "SCOVILL. / MFG. CO." dm no rings, used in small size only, ca 1860, (ScovillM420Small). Two part convex button, hat or sleeve size. Dug button with gilding, stand up shank. Recovered: not known.
Ref: Albert LA6, Tice LA220As5. $275.

More buttons, page 2, click here (items B5500 and up)
many more.