Confederate Adjutant General button

The Civil War Relicman,
Harry Ridgeway

Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!)
I am a collector buying and selling authentic Civil War Relics

This page updated   August 24, 2008

The Ridgeway Civil War Archive 
Buttons from Massachusetts (MS....) 

This is a sampling of relics collected by Harry Ridgeway over the years.  This archive record is for educational purposes only.  Some of the relics listed may be on display at the Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester Virginia, some are no longer owned by the author.  None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to the separate sales catalog for items that are currently offered.

All  items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described.   Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.    This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

B2615   Massachusetts one piece state seal button, (24.5mm)
  
This depiction of the state seal of Massachusetts dates to the colonial period, a native American with bow and arrow.
Backmark: "BEST PLATED (in script) / LONDON" dm two inner rings, flat one piece button, English producer 1820's or 1830's (Best02)
One piece coat button with omega shank, beautiful silvered button.
Stand up shank intact, silvered nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS19, Tice MS036A1

B4659   Massachusetts one piece state seal button, (24.5mm)
B4659.jpg (42067 bytes) B4659B.jpg (41544 bytes)
This depiction of the state seal of Massachusetts dates to the colonial period, a native American with bow and arrow.
Backmark: "RICH QUALITY / LONDON", dm between two rings, two (dot)s in center, flat one piece button, English producer 1820's or 1830's (Rich02)
One piece coat button with omega shank, gilded button.
Backmark: "Rich Quality / London" dm
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS19, Tice MS036A3

B4514     Massachusetts Militia button (23mm)
 
Backmark: "R&W Robinson / Extra / Rich" dm
Stand up shank intact, attractive nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS30, Tice MS202B2

B4670     Massachusetts state seal button (23mm)
 
Backmark: "R & W ROBINSON / EXTRA RICH" dm R & W ceased production in the 1850's, this is nice early button illustrating the transition in the 1840's from flat one piece to convex.
Stand up shank, gilded nondug button
Ref: Albert MS34, Tice MS208A1

B4956     Massachusetts state seal staff button (22.4mm) 
B4956.jpg (31288 bytes) B4956B.jpg (40306 bytes)
Motif depicts arm holding a sword, for "MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA".
Backmark: "WM. H. SMITH & CO / * NEW - YORK * " dm between one outer solid ring, and two inner rings, Scovill produced ca 1840's to 1850's. (SmithWH03) 
Three part officer style coat button, but was also issued to enlisted troops.
Stand up shank intact, top grade gilded nondug button. 
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210A6

B4826         Massachusetts state seal staff button (22.0mm)
B4826.jpg (34720 bytes) B4826B.jpg (36663 bytes)
Depicts state seal of Massachusetts, intended for officers of Massachusetts militia units.
Backmark: "WM. H. SMITH & CO. / * NEW - YORK * " dm between one outer solid ring, and two inner rings, third faint ring near the shank. Scovill produced ca 1840's - 1850's. (SmithWH03var)
Three part officer or "staff" coat button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210A6                  check this one

B4959     Massachusetts staff button , (22.3mm) 
B4959.jpg (29391 bytes) B4959B.jpg (34725 bytes)
Motif depicts arm holding a sword, for "MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA".
Backmark: "EXTRA / * QUALITY. * " dm large letters between solid rings, Scovill produced ca 1860. (ExtraQ03) 
Three part officer style coat button, but was also issued to enlisted troops.
Stand up shank intact, top grade gilded nondug button. 
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210A7

B4957     Massachusetts staff button , (22mm)
B4957.jpg (36866 bytes) B4957B.jpg (37072 bytes)
Motif depicts arm holding a sword, for "MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA".
Backmark: "SCOVILL MF'G CO, / WATERBURY. " dm between two rings of dots, ca 1860's. (ScovillM23) 
Three part officer style coat button, but was also issued to enlisted troops.
Stand up shank intact, top grade gilded nondug button. 
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210B4

B4671     Massachusetts staff button , (22mm)
 
Motif depicts arm holding a sword, for "MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA", saber is relatively long in this die pattern.
Backmark: "SCOVILL MF'G CO, / WATERBURY. " dm between two rings of dots, ca 1860's. (ScovillM23)
Three part officer style coat button, but was also issued to enlisted troops.
Stand up shank intact, fully gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210C1

B4871    Massachusetts state seal staff button, (21.8mm)
  
Motif depicts arm holding a sword, for "MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA".
Backmark: "R & W. ROBINSON / (dot) * (dot) * (dot) MAKERS (dot) * (dot) * (dot) / ATTLEBOROUGH / * MASS. * " dm, solid ring separating inner and outer inscription, ca 1840's (RobinsonRW16)
Three part officer style coat button, but was also issued to enlisted troops.
Stand up shank intact, attractive gilded nondug button
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210D1

B4516     Massachusetts state seal staff button (14.2mm)
   
Backmark: "Robinsons / Makers" dm
Stand up shank intact, attractive nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210Es1

B4661     Massachusetts staff button (14.4mm)
 
Backmark: "D EVANS & CO / EXTRA" dm
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210Es2

B4714     Massachusetts staff button (23.3mm)

Backmark: "& Steele / & Johnson" rmdc low convex
Stand up shank intact, attractive gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210G1

B4515     Massachusetts staff button (21.5mm)
 
Backmark: "Benedict & Burnham / Waterbury / Extra / Superfine"
Stand up shank intact, attractive nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS35, Tice MS210H1

B1923    Massachusetts Militia, 1st Regiment button (23mm)

Button depicts infantry horn, 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia "MVM". This was an old elite unit formed in 1854. This unit was reorganized into the 42nd Massachusetts Regiment during the Civil War and saw distinguished service.
Backmark: " R & W. ROBINSON / * EXTRA RICH * " dm, inner solid ring, ca 1840's to 1850's (RobinsonRW04)
Two part convex coat size button.
Stand up shank intact, fully gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS41, Tice MS214A1

B4381      Ancient & Honorable Artillery button (25mm)
  
Dark areas in picture are light reflection, button has a reflective or mirror like finish.
Ancient & Honorable Artillery is a traditional militia unit from Boston Massachusetts, dating to well before the American Revolution and existing today as an fraternal military society. This flat two piece button was used around the Civil War for ceremonial purposes.
Backmark: "D. EVANS & CO. / * ATTLEBORO' MASS * " dm on inner wreath, ca 1865 to post war. (Evans08)
Button is two piece flat coat button, simulating and earlier design.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button
Ref: Albert MS47, Tice MS222A1

B4668   Ancient & Honorable Artillery "1638" button (22.5mm)
B4668.jpg (30887 bytes) B4668B.jpg (40815 bytes)
Ancient & Honorable Artillery is a traditional militia unit from Boston Massachusetts, dating to well before the American Revolution and existing today as an fraternal military society. It is believed this two piece button was issued around 1860.
Backmark: "D. EVANS & CO. / * ATTLEBORO MASS * " dm inner ring
of hyphens, transitional use ca 1860 to post war. (Evans04)
Two part convex coat size button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS48, Tice MS224A3

B4622     Ancient & Honorable Artillery "1638"button (22.5mm)

Backmark: "D Evans / Attleboro Mass" dm inner ring of hyphens
Stand up shank intact, fully gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS48, Tice MS224A3 $50.00         Different backmark for A3 catalog this bm

B4667    Ancient & Honorable Artillery "1638" button (15mm)
 
Ancient & Honorable Artillery is a traditional militia unit from Boston Massachusetts, dating to well before the American Revolution and existing today as an fraternal military society. It is believed this two piece button was issued around 1860.
Backmark: "D. EVANS & CO. / SUPERFINE" dm inner ring of short hyphens (square dots) transitional use ca 1860 to post war. (Evans26As)
Two piece convex hat or sleeve button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS48, Tice MS224As1

B4662     Independent Cadet Corps "ICC" button, (15mm)
 
ndependence Cadet Corps was a cadet unit in Boston, button produced in this small "cadet" size only. During the Civil War, the unit was reorganized into the 45th Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Cadet Unit".
Backmark "ROBINSONS / * EXTRA * " dm between two solid rings, ca 1840's or 1850's (RobinsonRW24As)
Two part small size cadet button, probably served as coat or a hat button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS62, TiceMS248As1

B3259     Independent Cadet Corps "ICC" button, (15mm)
B3259.jpg (32548 bytes) B3259B.jpg (36482 bytes) 
Independence Cadet Corps was a cadet unit in Boston, button produced in this small "cadet" size only. During the Civil War, the unit was reorganized into the 45th Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Cadet Unit".
Backmark "ROBINSONS / * EXTRA * " dm between two solid rings, ca 1840's or 1850's (RobinsonRW24As)
Two part small size cadet button, probably served as coat or a hat button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS62, TiceMS248As1

B4830        Independent Cadet Corps "ICC" button, (15mm)
  
Independence Cadet Corps was a cadet unit in Boston, button produced in this small "cadet" size only. During the Civil War, the unit was reorganized into the 45th Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Cadet Unit".
Backmark: "D. EVANS & CO. / SUPERFINE" dm inner ring of short hyphens (square dots) transitional use ca 1860 to post war. (Evans26As)
Two part small button, cadet coat or hat size.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS62, TiceMS248As3

B4672   National Lancers "NL" button (22mm)
 
Unit was organized in 1837 at Boston, this one piece button is earliest button for the unit, which served in 1st Massachusetts Cavalry with a distinguished record.
Backmark: " ROBINSONS / * EXTRA RICH * " rm between two raised rings, fat rounded border. stamped one piece low convex button ca 1830's & 1840's (RobinsonRW18)
One piece coat button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS73, Tice MS258A1

B4829     National Lancers "NL" button (14mm)
B4829.jpg (33641 bytes) B4829B.jpg (30838 bytes)
Unit was organized in 1837 at Boston, this one piece button is earliest button for the unit, which served in 1st Massachusetts Cavalry with a distinguished record.
Backmark: "R & W R / * EXTRA RICH * " rm fat rounded border, weakly struck, stamped one piece low convex button (RobinsonR08As)
One part hat or sleeve button.
Stand up shank intact, fully gilded nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS73, Tice MS258As1

B4666    National Lancers "NL" button (22.8mm)
B4666.jpg (42320 bytes) B4666B.jpg (39319 bytes)
Unit was organized in 1837 at Boston, this two piece button was issued about 1860. The unit served in 1st Massachusetts Cavalry with a distinguished record.
Backmark: "D. EVANS & CO. / ATTLEBORO MASS" dm between two solid rings, ca 1850's 1860's (Evans10)
Two piece convex coat button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button
Ref: Albert MS74 Tice MS260A2

B4822        Fitchburg Fusileers "FF" button (23mm)
B4822.jpg (40620 bytes) B4822B.jpg (39375 bytes)  
Dark areas in picture are light reflection, button has a reflective or mirror like finish.
This militia unit served Company B 15th Massachusetts Infantry. Their service was heroic, after four years of hard fighting, many of the participants were dead or sick.
Backmark: " R & W. ROBINSON / * EXTRA RICH * " dm, inner solid ring, ca 1840's to 1850's (RobinsonRW04)
Two part coat button.
Stand up shank intact, attractive nondug button.
Ref: Albert MS88, Tice MS246A1

B4656   Highland Cadets, "HC", officer staff button (22mm)
B4656.jpg (37620 bytes) B4656B.jpg (37936 bytes)
School was formed in 1855, well known military school of the period, located Worchester Massachusetts. Three part officer style button was utilized which is unusual for military schools.
Backmark: "SCOVILL MF'G CO, / WATERBURY. " dm between two rings of dots, ca 1860's. (ScovillM23)
Three part officer coat button.
Stand up shank intact, gilded nondug button
Ref: Albert SU157, Tice MSS390A1

B3973     Massachusetts Institute of Technology "MIT", Cambridge Massachusetts, officer staff button (22mm)
 
Backmark:  "WATERBURY BUTTON CO. / EXTRA"  dm ring of dots
School is well known, this is 1860's button.
Stand up shank intact, attractive nondug button
Ref: Albert SU244,  Tice MSS395A1

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