Tom Hughes
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- May 27, 2019
- Location
- Mississippi
The "Golden Age" of buttons lasted from 1800-1850. In the button manufacturing process, 5 grains of gold was added to every gross of brass buttons, mixed with mercury and painted onto the buttons and baked in a furnace. Some of these buttons were plain and some had beautiful designs. They were worn on coats, vests, shirts and dresses. As diggers, we sometimes find these buttons have retained a fair amount of their original gold plating. All of these buttons were found in the Vicksburg, MS area.
This button was found in the Confederate earthworks in Vicksburg. It retains nearly all of its original finish. The backmark says Jones & Company and dates its manufacture from 1835-1840.
These buttons were found in Union camps in the city of Vicksburg. The backmark says Benedict & Barham and dates the button's manufacture from 1834-1843.
These 2 buttons were found at a plantation site across the river from Vicksburg. The backmark says Scovills/Treble Gilt and dates its manufacture from 1840-1850.
These 2 buttons are very decorative. The button on the left is called a "Snowflake" button. Notice how the applied gold mixture attached itself to the crevices inside the star design. The button on the right is a one piece solid brass button but has turned to a beautiful green patina.
Buttons are a fascinating study of those that lived in the 19th century. Thanks for looking!
This button was found in the Confederate earthworks in Vicksburg. It retains nearly all of its original finish. The backmark says Jones & Company and dates its manufacture from 1835-1840.
These buttons were found in Union camps in the city of Vicksburg. The backmark says Benedict & Barham and dates the button's manufacture from 1834-1843.
These 2 buttons were found at a plantation site across the river from Vicksburg. The backmark says Scovills/Treble Gilt and dates its manufacture from 1840-1850.
These 2 buttons are very decorative. The button on the left is called a "Snowflake" button. Notice how the applied gold mixture attached itself to the crevices inside the star design. The button on the right is a one piece solid brass button but has turned to a beautiful green patina.
Buttons are a fascinating study of those that lived in the 19th century. Thanks for looking!