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Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101
12-13-2017, 12:24 PM
Can anyone tell me how to discern Wisconsin Civil War buttons from ones that are post-Civil War? I’m not a CW button collector, but I have been buying Wisconsin buttons for a while and would like some help figuring out what I have.

During the Civil War, Wisconsin buttons were rimmed. Supposedly they kept the rimmed style for a while after the war with some minor changes. Wisconsin then switched to rimless buttons during the Indian Wars.

I have an assortment of the rimmed buttons from different makers
1. M.C. Lilley & Co. (Columbus)
2. Scoville Mfg Co (Waterbury)
3. Horstmann Bros. & Co (Phil)
4. Goodwins (Pat. 1876)
5. Waterbury Button Co

The Goodwins are probably post war with the 1876 patent date. Any help lifting me from my current state if ignorance would be appreciated.

H.Liniger
12-13-2017, 12:57 PM
Gary, According to Uniform Buttons of the United States by Warren Tice the buttons you have are all post war with the exception of the button marked Scovill Mf'g CO/ Waterbury. Sorry for the bad news. Harry Liniger Dismal Swamp Rangers

Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101
12-13-2017, 01:38 PM
Thanks Harry. That's what I wanted. Did Tice cite any differences? I honestly can't tell them apart from the front. If it's only the makers mark on the back that you don't see, it's no big deal to me. We're using them for Wisconsin-issued five button sack coats.

H.Liniger
12-13-2017, 02:16 PM
Thanks Harry. That's what I wanted. Did Tice cite any differences? I honestly can't tell them apart from the front. If it's only the makers mark on the back that you don't see, it's no big deal to me. We're using them for Wisconsin-issued five button sack coats.
The variations on the face of the buttons is very slight between makers and would take a magnifying glass to see it. War time Wisconsin buttons are hard to find and can go for $200 at the Civil War Shows. Uniforms of the 4th through 8th Wisconsin probably bore state shield buttons made around 1860-1865. Other war time backmarks are *EXTRA*/Quality,*G&B EXTRA and .*GODDARD&BRO.*/EXTRA and EXTRA/QUALITY . Keep an eye out for them . Harry L.

Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101
12-13-2017, 02:57 PM
Thanks Harry. I appreciate your expertise. Reproduction Wisconsin buttons were offered by someone for a short period of time, but with the minimum order required it made more sense to buy originals, albeit as it turns out, post-war. At $200 per CW era button, I doubt there are too many folks willing to outfit a Wisconsin five-button sack coat with them (at least not me). I like to think I'm frugal, but my wife says I'm cheap... Thanks for the education!