The Civil War Relicman,
Harry Ridgeway.

Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!).

relicman.com.


Ridgeway Reference Archive, Civil War buttons.
Confederate Officer (staff) Buttons, Confederate manufacture, "locals".

This is the "Ridgeway Reference Archive", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader.   Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author.  None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale.  This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items.  I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. 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.



Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with upright wings, CS in shield, one piece low convex, Confederate wartime manufacture, (24.3mm)
Button depicts eagle with wings in upright position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features eagle facing right with 13 stars, "CS" in the shield, on a one piece convex design, was a likely copied from an 1830's patriotic design on a flat button, the die was poorly executed, and seldom is the detail sharp.  Backmark: blank brass back, high convex one piece stamped button, weak impression of die face will appear on back, applied shank was spot brazed or soldered and will be weak or missing, (BlankSouthern220).  One part convex button without back, coat size, applied shank, crude manufacture
Ref: Albert CS17, Tice CS233A1.

B5779     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with upright wings, CS in shield, one piece low convex, Confederate wartime manufacture, (24.3mm)
Dug button, recovered: not known.


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field, high convex, flat false rim, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with wide channel, (24.5mm)
Button depicts eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features eagle facing right with 12 stars (wishful thinking, there were only 11 seceded states), false rim gives the impression of three part "staff" style button.  Backmark:  blank depressed wide channel well formed, narrow flat area around shank with some variance of dimension, copper or brass wire shank, likely the product of either Wildt or Rouyer, (BlankSouthern420).  Two part high convex button with false rim, coat size, crude manufacture.  Note that button is believed to have been  made by C Rouyer, but style of button and back is very close to a similar Wildt produced button.
Ref: Albert CS20A, Tice CS251A1.

B5361     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field, high convex, flat false rim, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with wide channel, (24.5mm)
B5361A.JPG (35317 bytes) B5361B.JPG (33190 bytes) 


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, C Rouyer dm, (22.3mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right, surrounded by 12 stars (wishful thinking, there were only 11 seceded states), two arrows in talon, lined backgroundBackmark: "C. ROUYER /  N. O. ", dm between two rings of dots, very weak stamping, manufactured by C. Rouyer, New Orleans, (Rouyer02)Two part convex button, coat size, crude manufacture. 
Ref: Albert CS21A, Tice CS254A2.

B5362     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, C Rouyer dm, (22.3mm)
B5362A.JPG (34105 bytes) B5362B.JPG (35023 bytes) 


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with wide channel, (22.3mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right, surrounded by 12 stars (wishful thinking, there were only 11 seceded states), three arrows in talon, lined background.  Backmark:  blank depressed wide channel well formed, narrow flat area around shank with some variance of dimension, copper or brass wire shank, likely the product of either Wildt or Rouyer, (BlankSouthern420).  Two part convex button, coat size, crude manufacture.
Ref: Albert CS22A, Tice CS257A1.

B5363     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with wide channel, (22.3mm)
B5363A.JPG (30462 bytes) B5363B.JPG (28359 bytes) 

B5737     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with wide channel, (22.3mm)

B6215     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with wide channel, (22.3mm)
Dug button, recovered: not known.


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a plain field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with narrow channel, (22.3mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right with wings in relaxed position, surrounded by 12 stars (wishful thinking, there were only 11 seceded states), three arrows in talon, plain background.  Backmark:  blank depressed narrow channel well formed, wide area around shank with some variance of dimension, depressed well usually formed around the shank, copper or brass wire shank, possibly the product of C Rouyer, New Orleans, (BlankSouthern410).  Two part convex button, coat size, crude manufacture.
Ref: Albert CS23A, Tice CS260A1.

B5364     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 12 stars on a plain field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with narrow channel, (22.3mm)
B5364A.JPG (41744 bytes) B5364B.JPG (37698 bytes) 


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 13 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (22.3mm)
Button depicts eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right with wings in relaxed position, surrounded by 13 stars (13th star crowds the left wing  tip and is very weak), three arrows in talon, lined background.  Backmark:  blank depressed wide channel well formed, narrow flat area around shank with some variance of dimension, copper or brass wire shank, likely the product of either Wildt or Rouyer, (BlankSouthern420).  Two part convex button, coat size, crude manufacture.
Ref: Albert CS25A1, Tice CS266A2.

B5365     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 13 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (22.3mm)
B5365A.JPG (40103 bytes) B5365B.JPG (36786 bytes) 

B5450     Confederate staff officer button, eagle facing right, Confederate wartime manufacture, channel back, (22.3mm)
 

B5496     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 13 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (22.3mm)
Dug button, recovered: Tennessee campaign.

B5683     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 13 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (22.3mm)
Dug button, recovered: Gaines Mill, Virginia.

B6055     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 13 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (22.3mm)
Dug button, recovered: Wilmington, North Carolina area.


Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with no stars on a lined field, no border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back, (18.6mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, could have been intended for Confederate officers or enlisted, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing left with wings in relaxed position, no stars, lined field, there is no three part rim typical of officer buttons, so it could have been intended for either officers or enlisted, very crude design, rare button is only made in 19mm size.  Backmark: blank back, flat surface, raised area around the shank, crude construction, unknown "local" manufacture, (BlankSouthern320).  Two part high convex button, vest size may have been used on a hat, very crudely stamped and assembled.
Ref: Albert CS41B, Tice CS287A1.

B5366     Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with no stars on a lined field, no border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back, (18.6mm)


B5244     Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with no stars on a lined field, no border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back, (18.6mm)
Dug button was badly cracked, and has been glued back together and filled, no parts were added and button is now very solid and will display well.  Recovered: Corinth, Mississippi.


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 10 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back, (14.2mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right with wings in relaxed position, 10 stars, lined field with small border.  Backmark: blank back, flat surface, crude construction, small size only, unknown "local" manufacture, (BlankSouthern311small).  Two part convex button, hat or sleeve size, crude manufacture.
Ref: Albert not listed, Tice CS269As2.

B5367     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with 10 stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back, (14.2mm)
B5367A.JPG (31933 bytes) B5367B.JPG (29199 bytes) 


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with no stars on a plain field, no border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (21mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, could have been intended for Confederate officers or enlisted, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right, similar to the Federal general service buttons, however the wings are in the relaxed or "drooped" position, there is no three part rim typical of officer buttons, so it could have been intended for either officers or enlistedBackmark:  blank depressed rounded channel, narrow area around shank with some variance of dimension, depressed well usually around the shank, copper or wire wire shank was fitted only and not brazed and is usually loose, likely the product of C Rouyer, New Orleans, (BlankSouthern340).  Two part convex button, coat size, crude manufacture, shank was lightly brazed and usually works loose.
Ref: Albert CS26B, Tice CS275A1.

B3215     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with no stars on a plain field, no border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (21mm)
B3215.jpg (28589 bytes) B3215B.jpg (65753 bytes) 


Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with no stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with narrow channel, (15.4mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing right, wings in relaxed position, on lined background, could have been intended for officers or enlisted, Confederate wartime manufacture, a southern "local", only made in small size.  Large rim gives the impression of a staff button but is two part design and convex back gives the impression of "puffback".  Backmark:  blank depressed rounded channel, narrow area around shank with some variance of dimension, depressed well usually around the shank, copper or wire wire shank was fitted only and not brazed and is usually loose, small size button, likely the product of C Rouyer, New Orleans, (BlankSouthern341small).  Two part high convex button, hat or sleeve size, crude manufacture.
Ref: Albert CS27Av, Tice CS278As1.

B3842     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with no stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with narrow channel, (15.4mm)
B3842.jpg (29212 bytes) B3842B.jpg (75785 bytes) Dug button, recovered: Stafford County, Virginia.

B5678     Confederate officer button, eagle facing right with no stars on a lined field with border, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with narrow channel, (15.4mm)
Dug button, recovered: central Virginia not confirmed.


Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with 13 stars on a lined field with flat false rim, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (25mm)
Button depicts
eagle with wings in relaxed position, intended for Confederate officers, southern wartime manufacture, a "local".  This die pattern features an eagle facing left with wings in relaxed position, lined background, design appears to be a three part staff button, but the fat rim is integral to the design.  Backmark:  blank depressed wide channel well formed, narrow flat area around shank with some variance of dimension, copper or brass wire shank, likely the product of either Wildt or Rouyer, (BlankSouthern420).  Two part high convex button with false rim, coat size
Ref: Albert CS42A, Tice CS290A1.

B4861     Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with 13 stars on a lined field with flat false rim, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (25mm)
B4861.jpg (32552 bytes) B4861B.jpg (36415 bytes) Dug button, recovered: central Tennessee.

B5515     Confederate officer button, eagle facing left with 13 stars on a lined field with flat false rim, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank back with channel, (25mm)
Dug button, recovered: Fredericksburg, Virginia.


Confederate officer or artillery button, CS over A, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank puff back, (16.6mm)
Button depicts "CS" over "A", could have been intended for a Confederate officer or artillery.  Lettering is fancy style with serifs, crudely formed, on plain background with false border, button was only made in small size, likely intended for a hat. 
Backmark: blank brass back, convex or "puffed" back, area around the rim is flat giving appearance to an outer ring, only made in small size, (BlankSouthern301Small).  Two part high convex button with false rim, hat or sleeve size, crudely stamped and assembled southern "local". 
Ref: Albert CS88, Tice CSG213Am1.

B5679     Confederate officer or artillery button, CS over A, Confederate wartime manufacture, blank puff back, (16.6mm)
Dug button, recovered: Shiloh, Tennessee.