Us Military Buttons Identification

Buttons can tell a great deal about military history.

Knowing what to look for on a military button can help identify a great deal about the button. The infantry rank can be identified, the construction of the button can help determine the age of the piece, and the identity of the manufacturer can be determined.

Infantry Rank

Inkspot Antiques and Collectibles helps determine a great deal about a military button. The infantry rank can be identified by looking at the design. From 1821 to 1854 a button with a shield with the letter "I" depicted an enlisted infantry man. This practice held true for officers until 1902. In the same time frame, a shield with the letter "A" stood for artillery, and a "R" for riflemen. From 1855 until 1902 officers in the cavalry had buttons with a shield with the letter "C" and a shield with the letter "D" stood for dragoons or light cavalry from 1836 - 1854 for enlisted men and for officers from 1836 to 1902.

Age and Construction

From 1852 until 1902 enlisted men had two-piece buttons with a spread eagle and a lined shield. The shield on the button was not raised until 1875 whereafter it became prominently raised on the buttons. From 1902 until the present enlisted men as well as officers have received buttons with the Great Seal of the United States on one- and two-piece buttons.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of the buttons often left benchmarks on the backs of the buttons. These benchmarks also serve as a great indicator of age, how the benchmark reads generally indicates when the button was constructed.

References

• InkspotAntiques.com: US Uniform Button ID