Buttons

To many collectors and diggers, nothing is quite as exciting as finding a button from the Civil War. Not only is it a very personal item, they are also beautiful examples of die work done by craftsman who processed a skill rarely found in modern times. Buttons, especially Confederate ones, are also one of the better investments in Civil War antiquities.

To save time, feel free to click the following links to take you to the buttons you are most interested in!

Dug Yankee Buttons Dug Confederate Buttons

School Buttons Non Dug Buttons

Dug Yankee Buttons	Item #	Price
Police Button, CIVIL WAR ERA!: Coat size, 23 mm,85% gilt remains, but edge has been cut and face creased. Almost all of these are post war, but not this one! Has raised mark (asterisks or stars, I can't tell) in a depressed channel, an almost certain trait of 1850's-early 1860's.	BN311JAAJ1	$25
Eagle Button: Coat size.20 mm, Found at South Mtn(?) Straight shank, nice detail and patina, no bm.	BN302JCJJ1	$5
Eagle I Infantry Button: Cuff size.15mm, I is hard to make out. fair ground action.. Scarcer "D Evans Co/ Extra" bm	BN293JCJJ1	$6
Eagle Button: Coat size. Found at Jonesboro, GA. Straight shank, nice detail and patina, slight push on eagles chest	BN285JCJJ	$6
Eagle Button: Coat size. Found at Jonesboro, GA. Shank present but bent, clear bm is "Scoville Mfg. Co, Waterbury"	BN279JCJJ	$7
Eagle A Artillery Button: 13 mm cuff size, no bm, shank present but bent .We think it was found in Wilderness area, but no way to be certain..	BN308JHJJ1	$16
Eagle D Dragoon: Coat size. Nice solid condition, but some minor ground action. Has "Scoville Mfg. Co-Waterbury" b/m. Straight shank Found Fort Smith, Ark.	BN132BBJJ	$55
Eagle R Coat: Coat size Rifleman button (with large "R"), no shank with rmdc backmark, very slight traces of gold remain. No pushes, but has moderate ground action. Found in Texas cavalry site. Note: All Rifleman buttons predate the Civil War, and quite often were used by Confederate troops.	BN143AAJJ	$30
Connecticut Button: Cuff size, 14mm, from Wilderness Area. 20%. bright gilt remains, I can't make out bm.. Shank bent 45% but intact,	BN304JIJJ1	$20
New York Button: Coat size. Another Jonesboro find, coat size. Rim is missing but button has been neatly glued back together. Can't make out bm	BN281JDJJ	$12
New York Button: 22 mm coat size, shank intact but bent over, slight push and rim 90% intact. Can't read b/m, came from South Mountain, VA. Covered in green, lots of ground action, but has lots of gold under the green if you care to clean it.	BN291JCJJ1	$8
Dug Confederate Buttons	Item #	Price
Solid Cast Brass Infantry Button: Found at the Dalton, GA, Winter Camps (we bought it straight from the digger), where Johnston's troops were given new uniforms before the Atlanta Campaign. This classic example is a good looking example, very little ground action and a nice patina.	BNJ338GEJJ	$135
Vest Size I Button: This is the scarce size block I, with a backmark of "P Tait". Has the famous "floating shank", made to where the shank will fold up into the button, thus allowing more uniforms to be packed together to be run across the blockade. A very tight and nice button, in excellent condition. Found in South Carolina.	BN96ABEJJ	$220
Lined C: An early dig from Dalton, GA. Moderate push, but doesn't distract from the great detail on this one. Perfect back. Slick (better than picture) with a blank back and good solid shank.	BN205BTTT	$325
Louisiana Coat size: Nice gilt, 50% or so! So scarce that Albert's doesn't even show it but Tice list it as LA20, a definite hard-to-get Civil War button. This is beautiful! No pushes, great back and shank, no ground action on front, but enough on back that I can't read the bm. Tiny digger scratch on shank...close call, but doesn't affect it. This button was found on Skidaway Island, GA, in the 1980's in a Louisiana camp.	BN254ABEJ	$550
North Carolina "Sunburst" Button: Coat size, good dug condition, still has some dirt on it. No shank. Found in North GA.	BN358BKC	$125
North Carolina "Sunburst" Button: Coat size, has some rim damage but still looks good with some silver finish remaining. No shank. Found in North GA.	BN359BKC	$90
Scarce North Carolina (NC 14) 20mm size: This is a very odd size of this already rare button. Never heard of a 20mm, but this one is. Some gilt left on face and back, lath marks visiable, shank broken in half. Quite a bit of ground action on face, but details are still all there. Dug in Virginia.	BN252AJJJ	$500
Repaired North Carolina: No shank, face has been repaired and back reattached. Light brown patina, no gilt.	BN189JGJJ	$30
Repaired North Carolina: Face has been repaired and back reattached. No gilt.	BN190AJJJ	$35
North Carolina: Blank back, coat size, and crack at top in motto. Shank present but bent over. Found in Virginia.	BN49CJJJ	$50
Charleston Police Cuff: You want a rare button at a reasonable price? Well, here you go! Cuff size, and found over 40 years ago in Charleston, SC, with some gilt remaining. Shank has a shiny spot, may have been nicked with shovel, but it's all there. No pushes, and very rare. Considerable ground action, but it is what it is.	BN162BJJJ	$50
South Carolina Vest: Dug in Confederate camp in Fredericksburg, VA. No shank, moderate ground action. Can't make out backmark, but I guarantee it's Civil War era.	BN146CJJJ	$60
South Carolina Coat: Has a fair push in face, but still shows detail very well. 50% gilt remains. Has the scarce bm of "WH Smith and Co-NY" No shank. Found near Charleston, SC	BN18CDJA	$75
South Carolina Cuff: No shank, but lots of gold. Some ground action, especially on back, but still a solid example. Found near Fredericksburg, VA	BN59BGEJ	$65
Virginia Low Convex VA 4 Coat: An early dig, no ground action at all, and almost all of silver plating remains. Strong "WH Horstman & Sons/ Phila" bm. No shank, found in Richmond during the 1960's. Very slight push in face on the "NN" part of motto, barely noticeable.	BN251AJJJ	$230
Virginia One Piece: Solid with shank, but has moderate to heavy ground action on face. You can still make out the State seal, though. This is Albert's #VA2, with shank, found in Richmond, VA	BN134FBJJ	$125
Virginia One Piece: Solid with fairly good detail, great clear backmark, but no shank. This is Albert's #VA1, and was found in Williamsburg, VA	BN135FBJJ	$140
VA Staff: Found in a CS camp near Petersburg. A pretty green patina decorates this piece, with good detail. Unfortunately, has heavy push in face.	BN56DBEJ	$85
1700-1860's Misc. Buttons	Item #	Price
Zouave Ball Button: 14 mm cuff, Near perfect..	BN302JBJJ1	$5
Colonial Era Flat Buttons: All sizes, all with shanks. Found in Charleston, SC area.	BN232JJEJ	$3 each
Large Coat Weight/Buttons: Made of lead, these are said to have served dual purpose, which I believe. Definite Civil War or before era. These are about 1.150" diameter. Found at Wilderness/So`uth Mountain Area. Have two in this size.	MD514JAJJ1	$3 each
Medium Coat Weight/Buttons: Made of lead, these are said to have served dual purpose, which I believe. Definite Civil War or before era. These are about .950" diameter. Found at Wilderness/South Mountain Area. Have four in this size.	MD515JAJJ1	$3 each
Livery Button: Originally from England, these are sometimes found at Confederate sites. Don't know where this one was dug from, but it's nice, with almost 90% of the silver plate remaining. Solid cast, no BM. Shank present and straight but eye squashed close.26mm	BN283AJJJ	$25
Tiny Flat Button: Decorative, 12mm with gilt traces. Early 1800's.	BN321JAJJ1	$6
Large Decorative Flat Button:35mm, slight warp and bent shank, Wilderness VA area.	BN316JAJJ1	$4
Plain two Piece Button: Civilian style, "Browning and King", found near Charleston, SC	BN255JAJJ	$5
Southern School Buttons	Item #	Price
Kings Mountain Military Institute: Approximately 80% gilt remains on this coat size scarce Southern School button. It does have some ground action and a very light push, but still a pretty button.	BN90AGEJJ	$290
Non-Dug Buttons	Item #	Price
Eagle General Service: Cuff size, very slight push on back, does not adversely affect button. Plain brass back.	BN340JAJJ	$5
Eagle "I" Infantry: Cuff size, very slight push on back, does not adversely affect button. Plain brass back.	BN339JAJJ	$7
Massachusetts Vol. Militia: Cuff, beautiful gilt (picture doesn't show it well). Bad news is someone has soldered on a shank to repair it. Otherwise button is very nice. Waterbury Button Co b/m.	BN342JAJJ	$15
Staff Officer: Cuff, extra quality b/m. Some honest wear on gilt, otherwise perfect.	BN341JAJJ	$12
Flower Button: 1 piece, probably early 1800's. Shank present but bent, no back mark. 21 mm	BN280JBJJ	$12
Bone Buttons: 1800's era, identical to those dug in camps and period house sites. Perfect for re-enactors of all periods. Four hole styles only in stock.	BN8JJJE	1.00 ea.
"Pat. 1851" Marked Hard Rubber Buttons: Have several sizes and styles, all marked Goodyear Pat 1851. These buttons saw use by civilians during the 1860's, plus many soldiers. As solid as the day they were made! Put in a case or sew on a jacket. Great for re-enactors.	BN1JAEJ	$4 ea
Plain Civilian Button Set: 5 matching buttons, perfect for a coat repair or reinactor who wants the real deal. Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m ".Imperial Gilt. Colour"" .700" diameter. Includes 4.5 x 5.5 riker display case! JUST ADDED!	BN365JFJJ	$30
Plain Civilian Button Set: 5 matching buttons, perfect for a coat repair or reinactor who wants the real deal. Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "WarrantedOrange" .677" diameter. Includes 4.5 x 5.5 riker display case JUST ADDED!	BN366JFJJ	$30
Undated Gutta Percha Buttons: Have various names on the backs, but no pat dates. Still very old.	BN1A-JJEJ	$2.50 each
Flower Button: Vest size, one piece, perfect condition.	BN274JBJJ	$5
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "Rich Gold Color" .734" diameter. JUST ADDED!	BN360JAJJ	$4
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "London Warranted." 784" diameter. JUST ADDED!	BN361JAJJ	$4
American Made Plain Civilian Button: Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are made by Kendricks & Co, an 1830's American Manufacture. Very desirable backmark especially in nondug. Like most civilian buttons of the era, they also occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms.789" diameter. JUST ADDED!	BN362JAJJ	$6
Plain Civilian Button: Late 1700-Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "GiltLondon" .792" diameter. JUST ADDED!	BN364JAJJ	$4
Plain "Dome" Civilian Button: Early 1800's, plain face, one piece. These are the type imported to America from England, used by most civilians of the era, and they even occasionally turn up on Confederate uniforms. B/m "Rich Orange" 7o7" diameter. JUST ADDED!	BN363JAJJ	$4
*Flat Button “Extra Rich London”:* 11/16" diameter	BN84JAGB	$5
Concave Button “Rich Gilt”: 5/8" diameter	BN81JAGB	$5
Brass Flat Button: 7/8" diameter, "Treble Gilt-Standard Colour" backmark. Most of gilt is worn from face, but almost all remains on back. Shank slightly out of round but solid and intact.	BN209JASS	$3.50
Brass Flat Button: 7/8" diameter, backmark is ring of flowers with tied bundles at top and bottom. Very slight bend in face. Good solid straight shank.	BN210JASS	$3.00
Cast pewter button: Unsure of age on this one, so I'll price it real fair. Has the look and feel of a mid-late 1800's button, though	BN264JAJJ	$5
Odd Backmarked Flat Button: Letters are old English, very fancy. Bad thing is even though it's clear, we can't make out the name! Brass, 3/4", with good straight shank	BN220JBSS	$6
Non Dug Coat Weight/Buttons: Made of lead, these are said to have served dual purpose, which I believe. Rarely seen non dug. Perfect buttons for a reinactor to wear to have that fully authentic look. Have five.	MN306JAJJ1	$5 each
Post War Buttons	Item #	Price
Pennsylvania Staff "Pat 1888": Cuff size. "A. P. Davis Pat Nov 20th 1888" b/m. Three piece button. Floating style shank.	BN344JAJJ	$4
Pennsylvania National Guard Staff "Pat 1876": Coat size. A fairly scarce and desirable three piece button, has "Goodwins Pat July 27, 1876" backmark.	BN343JAJJ	$8
Baltimore Fire Dept: Rosenfiled & Bros, Baltimore, bm, no shank. I figure it's late 1800's. No shank	BN300JCJJ1	$5
Baltimore Fire Dept: Rosenfiled & Bros, Baltimore. I figure it's late 1800's. Shank bent over.	BN299JCJJ1	$6
Virginia Coat Size: Superior Quality b/m, early 1900's I think. Non Dug	BN261JAJJ	$5
Cuff Size Staff Officers: Have multiples.	BN357JAJJ	$2 ea
Coat & Cuff Size Massachusetts: Have multiples.	BN354JAJJ	$2 each
Coat Size Pennsylvania National Guard: Have multiples.	BN351JAJJ	$2 each
Coat Size Silvered Low Convex Civilian Buttons: Have multiples.	BN353JAJJ	$2 each
Coat Size Three-Piece Civilian Buttons: Have multiples.	BN352JAJJ	$2 each
Cuff Size General Service Eagles(1870-1900): Have multiples.	BN356JAJJ	$2 each
Coat Size Ball Buttons: Have multiples.	BN355JAJJ	$2 each
Late Victorian decorative button: Thin stamped brass with small soldered on shank. I'd guess age as late 1800-early 1900.	BN265JAJJ	$5
Button Dies	Item #	Price
US Staff Officer Button Die: Unsure of date, Some say Civil War era, others say post... I think 1870's is most likely. Still a great piece of American Military History.	BNC350JAJJ	$250
"The Royal Welch Fusiliers (?)"Hat Badge Die: Not sure if this is it or not, but came with button die below and design is similar.	BNC347JAJJ	$35
Royal Order of the Garter "Honi Soit Italy Pense" Button Die: Made a coat size button, group originated in medieval England and still is going. This is probably mid-late 1800's. Membership is extremely limited, thus few dies or buttons exist.	BNC346JAJJ	$50
Unknown Institute or Company Button Die: Made a flat button with lined field.	BNC347JAJJ	$25
Unknown "Knight With Flag On Horse Over Dragon" Button Die: Title says it all. Made a vest size button.	BNC349JAJJ	$25