Period VMI Button?

[Ethan S.]

Yesterday I was in Klingerstown PA metal detecting, when suddenly my machine decided to run out of battery. I was determined to not waste a day off, so I drove to Gettysburg, still covered in dirt, and went to the Horse Soldier. I spent two hours trying to decide what to buy as a first Confederate/Confederate related button. I chose this one, because I was born not too far from the school, and lived in the valley where the schools students proved themselves on the battlefields. I should have asked this question while I was there, but is this Civil War period? There is no back mark, and I usually see ones with backmarks. I don't have my Button book with me, or otherwise I'd check myself.

 

[UCVRelics]

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Yesterday I was in Klingerstown PA metal detecting, when suddenly my machine decided to run out of battery. I was determined to not waste a day off, so I drove to Gettysburg, still covered in dirt, and went to the Horse Soldier. I spent two hours trying to decide what to buy as a first Confederate/Confederate related button. I chose this one, because I was born not too far from the school, and lived in the valley where the schools students proved themselves on the battlefields. I should have asked this question while I was there, but is this Civil War period? There is no back mark, and I usually see ones with backmarks. I don't have my Button book with me, or otherwise I'd check myself.

Looking at the back construction and the fact that these are still used I'm leaning post war. Most of the CW period used buttons were back-marked and the only one with a blank doesn't match this one.

 

[Ethan S.]

Looking at the back construction and the fact that these are still used I'm leaning post war. Most of the CW period used buttons were back-marked and the only one with a blank doesn't match this one.

No biggie. I'll look for a period one later on then. Or just save up for a Virginia state seal.


I want to have some Virginia buttons for my home state.

 

[donna]

It is beautiful button no matter the age.

 

[Woods-walker]

Looking at the back construction and the fact that these are still used I'm leaning post war. Most of the CW period used buttons were back-marked and the only one with a blank doesn't match this one.

Agree. Never seen a VMI not marked on the back - but have heard of one. I think you're on the money with it being more modern

 

[VMI88]

I agree that this is a postwar button - the domed VMI buttons were used well into the Twentieth Century and bear a number of different backmarks. I'll have to check my collection to see if I have any of these on a uniform, but I definitely have some loose ones. The current button has a similar design but with a flat face.

The generally accepted Civil War period buttons were manufactured by Robinson and Firmin. Some people debate the D. Evans buttons but according to VMI they have never been found on a known wartime uniform. Some have reportedly been dug, but VMI cadets have been visiting battlefields in uniform since soon after the war, so that's not proof in itself. The D. Evans backmark itself was used during the Civil War, but VMI is not known to have contracted buttons from them at that time. (Obviously if someone has information to the contrary, please share it!) The D. Evans buttons are very common and can be found in the $30-40 range if you shop around.

Just as an aside, the brass two- and four-hole suspender and fly buttons marked "V.M.I." are often advertised as rare Civil War-era pieces, but they are much later. I don't know when they started being used but they were used as late as the 20s or 30s, possibly even into the 40s.

 

[Woods-walker]

Gre

I agree that this is a postwar button - the domed VMI buttons were used well into the Twentieth Century and bear a number of different backmarks. I'll have to check my collection to see if I have any of these on a uniform, but I definitely have some loose ones. The current button has a similar design but with a flat face.

The generally accepted Civil War period buttons were manufactured by Robinson and Firmin. Some people debate the D. Evans buttons but according to VMI they have never been found on a known wartime uniform. Some have reportedly been dug, but VMI cadets have been visiting battlefields in uniform since soon after the war, so that's not proof in itself. The D. Evans backmark itself was used during the Civil War, but VMI is not known to have contracted buttons from them at that time. (Obviously if someone has information to the contrary, please share it!) The D. Evans buttons are very common and can be found in the $30-40 range if you shop around.

Just as an aside, the brass two- and four-hole suspender and fly buttons marked "V.M.I." are often advertised as rare Civil War-era pieces, but they are much later. I don't know when they started being used but they were used as late as the 20s or 30s, possibly even into the 40s.

Great summary- thank you so much.
My best relic hunting friend dug an Evans near a war time house site we were hunting and was told it was war period but found a different opinion as you surmised. Thank you for the information, those items on the cusp of the war are always intriguing.