The design on the face of the button can help date it. Below is a representation of each of the five U.S. Button MotifĮarly military buttons’ motifs usually include an eagle, anchor, or state seal.

Buttons with tinned-iron backs and stamped-brass backs were typical from the 1880s to the 1920s. Buttons with the shank inset into holes were common after 1918, following World War I. A two-piece construction attached by a thin rim, referred to as a staff button, was used from the 1830s to 1902.Ĭivil War-era buttons (1861-1865) usually have a circular depression surrounding the shank. A two-piece construction that is crimped together was manufactured in 1813 and used until the 1830s. If it has a soldered appearance, referred to as a brazed shank, it was likely manufactured during the 18 th or 19 th centuries.

When you examine the button’s construction, notice how the shank (an extension on the back of the button through which the thread passes) is attached. Most military buttons are made of metal, usually brass or pewter. Properly identifying your button will help you date it. military buttons can be identified by the following characteristics: construction, motif, and backmarks. Feel free to research further if you want more information. This article is meant to provide enough information to help you narrow down the age range of your buttons. There is a wealth of detailed information available in collector books and on military collector sites to help identify military buttons. Following are some ways to determine the age of U.S. military buttons can be worth money-especially early ones, like pre-Civil War era, or even some later ones from World War II. The next time you rummage through your button stash to find a replacement button for a missing one, you might look for more than that replacement button. This assortment of buttons sold in November 2020 for $45. Vintage military buttons can be profitable and worth collecting.

Civil war era navy buttons