Button ID help

[Wraith_3]

Could someone help me ID a button from my dad's collection? I'm trying to ID the button on the middle left in this image. (next to the Ordnance Corps button)

 

[Package4]

Could someone help me ID a button from my dad's collection? I'm trying to ID the button on the middle left in this image. (next to the Ordnance Corps button)

View attachment 470366

Is there a back mark? Would appear to be a civilian type of button, but a back mark would be helpful.

 

[Wraith_3]

I'll look again next time I'm over there, but the picture of the back has dirt on it. It looks like it does have a name, so I'll have to try to brush the dirt off with a toothbrush and get a pic.

 

[Wraith_3]

I wanted to also see if anyone could help me out with the value of those two Ordnance Corps buttons. I have someone interested, but this stuff is completely outside my CW knowledge areas. They are both missing most or all of the backs. It's also hard to see in the first post, but the one on the left has a caved in center and the one on the right has a dent in the side. Here's a picture of the backs:

 

[Salterr]

Even though the face is nice and clear the fact that the back is missing destroys the majority of the retail value. Unless of course it's some rare confederate button but even still a damaged anything sells for less. The back mark for buttons is essentially where the value comes in. When complete these ordnance buttons retail in the 200-250 range while some can be had for a lot less depending on their back mark. If you have someone interested that means there's still some meat on the bone monetarily because they want it even if it's damaged and they're probably offering a fair value. Hopefully.

What may be an OC5 designation for your button might be able to be confirmed by its face but even dug complete ones are around $80. Just the faces would be less. If you don't mind sharing or at least a ballpark figure, what is his offer?

 

[Wraith_3]

He didn't give any offer, just asked what I was asking for them. I figured maybe $20 each, but no idea. I was just basing that one what a dug complete button I saw went for.

 

[Salterr]

He didn't give any offer, just asked what I was asking for them. I figured maybe $20 each, but no idea. I was just basing that one what a dug complete button I saw went for.

I'd say that's a low price for them, ordnance buttons aren't super rare but they sure don't show up like the countless amounts of eagle buttons. The faces are pretty nice and I would double it honestly. Really it comes down to what you're comfortable parting with them for but I don't find it unreasonable to ask $40. If they want it bad enough they'll pay the extra bit for something they don't have. I've done the same for my embroidered officers hat badges that I collect. I won't go over a certain price but some nicer ones were cheaper than more worn ones but when you want what you want you find a way to pay for it. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/a-convocation-of-eagles.200647/

 

[Wraith_3]

Thanks! Finding values for intact or dug/intact buttons isn't too hard, but without examples I was having trouble. This stuff is way outside what I'm familiar with. I already sold off everything I knew about or somewhat know about (most firearms, swords, knives, shells, etc.), so I'm now in uncharted territory. The other problem was he has a ton of reference books, but the only one on buttons is about manufacturers!

 

[Salterr]

Thanks! Finding values for intact or dug/intact buttons isn't too hard, but without examples I was having trouble. This stuff is way outside what I'm familiar with. I already sold off everything I knew about or somewhat know about (most firearms, swords, knives, shells, etc.), so I'm now in uncharted territory. The other problem was he has a ton of reference books, but the only one on buttons is about manufacturers!

Glad to help and happy that everything has sold for you. The reference books are very useful and very expensive but the knowledge far outweighs the cost. If you stumble across insignia or shoulder boards in his collection I'll write you a novel about them and be very interested in adding them to my collection.

 

[Package4]

Thanks! Finding values for intact or dug/intact buttons isn't too hard, but without examples I was having trouble. This stuff is way outside what I'm familiar with. I already sold off everything I knew about or somewhat know about (most firearms, swords, knives, shells, etc.), so I'm now in uncharted territory. The other problem was he has a ton of reference books, but the only one on buttons is about manufacturers!

I believe the reference books would be of interest to some on this forum, if you are looking to move those.

 

[Salterr]

I believe the reference books would be of interest to some on this forum, if you are looking to move those.

I second that one!

 

[Wraith_3]

Thanks! I'll definitely post something when I have time to go through the books. I know he has some uniform books, books on identifying fake swords, patriotic letter covers, newspapers, images, etc. I started out selling what I already knew a little bit about so I haven't gotten to them yet.