Item #: kypol2. Button: Uniform button, Fire Department, early 1900's, Boston,
Massachusetts. Price $45.
Item #: kyrnvy1. Button: United States Navy; issued between 1852-1941. Price $45. SOLD
The eagle was placed upon the shank of the anchor by an order of 1852. The head
is to the left (as seen by the wearer) on buttons made prior to 1941. The device
is an eagle perched upon the shaft of a horizontal anchor, with three cannonballs
below, encircled by thirteen stars, all on a lined field. The grommet (a ring
of rope) passes through the ring of the anchor, inside the plain border.
Item #: kyrnvy2. Button: United States Navy; issued between 1852-1941. (Same as
above but larger-1" diameter). Fashioned with a key ring and whistle by Antiquewear.
Price $45.
Item #: kyrsta1. Button: United States Army, General Staff, 1854-1870. Price $60.
Three piece convex. The front and back held by a separate rim. The earliest buttons
worn by the General Staff were ball shaped and gilt, a type worn also by the cadets
at West Point during this period.
Item #: kyrcpo1. Button: Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy, Circa 1900.
Price $40.
The upright foul anchor has been used as a button device for the U.S. Navy from
the American Revolution to the present time except perhaps for a decade after
the 1830 change in officers button device. At first it was the button device of
lieutenants and other junior officers and was then made in the omega type, but
about 1840 it came into use for chief petty officers, perhaps also for midshipmen
and naval cadets.
Item #: kyrgar1. Button: Worn by a member of The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)
issued in 1866. Fashioned to a key ring by Antiquewear. Price $45.
This organization was constituted by Union Veterans of the Civil War, April 6,
1866. The objects of the society were the preservation of fraternal feeling, strengthening
the loyal sentiment and giving aid to the families of veterans. By 1890, nearly
half a million veterans had become members. The final encampment was held in 1949
in Indianapolis and ended with the death of the last surviving member at age 110.
Item #: kyrsov1. Button: Worn on the uniform of a member of the Sons of Veterans
of the Civil War (Union). Scarce. Price $50.
On the 29th September, 1879, The Sons of Veterans was organized in Philadelphia,
to carry on traditions and activities of the Grand Army of the Republic, the veterans
organization of the Union Army. Only lineal male descendants of the Union veterans
were admitted to membership. This button was worn on the uniform of one such member.
Item #: kyrcolo1. Button: Colonial Pearl, 1760-1800. This exquisite mother
of pearl button is typical of the period and is characterized by delicate decoration
usually sufficient to enhance the material without overwhelming it. Price $85
In 1844, New York City was the first to outfit its police force with a frock coat
with buttons of uniform appearance, but the experiment was not well received by
the public and the uniforms were withdrawn. Several years later, in 1853, a second
attempt was more successful. Other cities soon followed, and the dark glue uniform
became standard equipment. The insignia buttons were in general use by the 1870's.
Apart from the old English initials, most of the designs were based either upon
the city or state seal or upon symbols of local industry.
Item #: kyrpol1. Button: Jersey City, New Jersey Police. 1870-early1900's. Price
$40.
