eBay

winecountrygirl · ‎05-02-2005

Recently I was given (by a close family friend who is dying) a box full of old metal buttons. These are all old military buttons and was told that some are from the Civil War. I'd love to be able to ID these. They've been sitting here for quite a few months when I last tried to ID them. Wow, it certainly takes a lot of research! I appreciate any links, information, advice~ anything you have to offer! Thanks! Kate

purple-peg · ‎05-02-2005

can you post pictures somewhere for us to see??..not only the front of the buttons but also backs...Peg

winecountrygirl · ‎05-03-2005

Yikes! I haven't dared to get to that step yet! I was hoping to ID what was worth taking pics... Guess I need to get to work on pics! Kate

purple-peg · ‎05-03-2005

Hi again..I don't know if you want to go to the expense of buying books..but the 2 I use mostly are "Record of American Uniform & Historical Buttons" By A. Albert this book cost is around $40.00..sometimes you will find it on ebay..the other book is "American Military Button Makers & Dealers;Their Backmarks & Dates"..by McGuinn & Bazelon..cost is around $23.00..you could also go to the Waterbury button catalog site..I believe these are repo's so doesn't show prices of old ones.. http://www.waterburybutton.com/index.shtml Peg

horserdr60 · ‎05-06-2005

hi I am in the same boat trying to identify buttons ,I know they are Jacob Reeds sons because of label. but I am having a hard time dating uniform, any good ref. out there?

purple-peg · ‎05-06-2005

Please see my other post where I mention the Albert book..it is the best reference for U.S.uniform buttons. pictures?? Jacob Reed & Sons..firm was established in 1824 and lasted until 1980 Peg

iwin · ‎05-10-2005

Onehappybaby: Some of those old military buttons are worth hundreds of dollars to collectors -- especially the civil war ones (depending upon condition, etc.). You can post them in eBay's Buttons categories or in a Military category or in Collectibles. It would be smart to list them in both a Button Category and a Military category when you are ready to sell them.

svengali · ‎05-27-2005

It can be tricky to date uniform buttons even with a library full of reference books. Try going to a button club in your area as a guest or finding out when/where button shows are taking place. There are usually many people at these shows who could help you ID your buttons. Don't sell them to anyone who looks at and appraises them, you could be giving away a real treasure. Several times button friends have sent me uniform buttons to sell for them and we were lucky enough to find some real valuable Civil War period ones in the mix, really cool when that happens. By the way, there is a calendar of button events associated with this chat group, see it on the first page. Join the National Button Society to be kept up to date with upcoming button events and you will get a directory of state and local button clubs and societies. -Carol C-

svengali · ‎07-01-2005

Here's a study page on my website that will give some information on what button backs look like and particularly some struck during the Civil War period, if you find one with an RMDC backmark, that's a pretty good sign you have a Civil War period button, with just a few exceptions, here's that link: http://www.vintagebuttons.net/shanks.html And, here's another study page showing a variety of historical and uniform buttons of interest: http://www.vintagebuttons.net/uniformed.html Get the "Albert book" Peg mentions above, it's a good start to study US uniform buttons. Warren Tice has a few out and the Big Book of Buttons has an overview of foreign and US uniform buttons worth studying.