Created by

Scovill Manufacturing Company, American

Date

1861-1865

Medium

brass (alloy)

Dimensions

9/16 x 9/16 x 3/8 x 9/16 in. (1.4 x 1.4 x 1 cm)

Description

This small brass button is stamped with the device of a spread eagle with

shield holding an olive branch in his right claws and three arrows in his left claw. It is a standard small-sized general service button worn by a non-commissioned officer or enlisted man in the U.S. Army. According to U.S. Army historian Rod Gainer, the button was almost certainly made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, based on the shape of the eagle’s wings.

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Clothing-Historical

Type

buttons (fasteners)

Topic

Clothing and dress

Military

Slavery

U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2011.4.5

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd568bbb155-a9da-4c3f-a9cd-0ea81a1cda44