Short answer
To identify a Civil War uniform button, start with its design, then check the backmark, size, shank, and material. Union eagle buttons are the easiest group to recognize. Confederate buttons are harder, since many are plain and many on the market are later copies. Value depends on attribution, condition, and documentation, not on the button’s appearance alone.
Why buttons help identify uniforms
Buttons are small, but they carry useful clues. Design can point to a Union or Confederate source, and a backmark can point to a maker. Buttons were also swapped, replaced, and sold separately, so a button on its own rarely proves where a uniform came from. Use buttons as one part of a wider check.
Union eagle buttons
The most familiar Union pattern is the eagle over a shield, usually in brass. Some Union coat buttons carry letters or designations for branch or unit. Buttons were also made in several sizes for different garments, such as coats, trousers, and vests, so a button’s diameter matters. Measure across the face and compare the result with a period reference for that garment type.
Confederate buttons
Confederate buttons are far more varied. Many are plain, and many were made from materials that were easier to get in the South, such as pewter, bone, or wood. Some were imported, and some were made locally. A “Confederate” button on the market may be a later reproduction, a recast, or a mismatched piece, so treat the label with caution until the button has been checked.
What were Civil War buttons made of?
Brass was the most common material for Union military buttons. Pewter was common for Confederate buttons and appears on some Union pieces too. Bone and wood were also used, particularly in the Confederacy. Some buttons were gilt or silvered. Material alone does not date a button, since the same materials were used across the war and after it.
Backmarks and makers
Many Union buttons carry a maker’s name or mark on the back. Suppliers such as Scovill and the Waterbury Button Company were among the firms that made military buttons in the 19th century. A backmark can help narrow the source, but backmarks can be copied or added. Check whether the mark is cast, stamped, or engraved, and whether it looks like the others in the same reference.
Size, shank, and construction
Measure the diameter, note the type of shank (the loop on the back), and check how the shank is attached. Look at the face for casting seams, and at the edges for crispness. Cleanly finished, uniform casting can be a sign of a modern copy, but no single feature proves a button is new. Compare the whole set of features with documented examples.
How to identify military buttons
A simple sequence works for most military buttons:
- Note the design on the front and whether it includes an eagle, a shield, letters, or numbers.
- Look at the back for a maker’s name, mark, or shank type.
- Measure the diameter.
- Examine the metal and construction, including the finish and the way the shank is attached.
- Compare the button with photographs of documented examples from the same period.
- If the button is valuable or the attribution matters, ask a specialist to examine it.
Spotting reproductions and recasts
Reproductions and recasts are common. Warning signs include:
- A finish that looks new, even, or bright
- Sharp, unworn edges on a button that is supposed to have been carried on a coat
- A metal that feels too light or too heavy for its size
- A backmark that looks cut or added, rather than cast with the button
- A set of buttons that all look identical, with no variation in wear
None of these signs is conclusive alone, so use them together.
How much is a button worth?
This article does not give prices. Values depend on several factors:
- Attribution. A button tied to a known unit or documented use is generally worth more than an unattributed one.
- Rarity. Some patterns are scarce. Many common patterns are not.
- Condition. Original finish and undamaged edges count for a great deal.
- Documentation. A photograph, letter, or record of the button’s history supports its value.
Common buttons usually sell for modest amounts. Documented, rare, or well-preserved examples can command more. For a valuable lot, get an independent appraisal before you sell or buy.
Caring for buttons
Avoid polishing brass with abrasives or household cleaners. The patina is part of the button’s history, and cleaning can reduce its value. Store buttons in a dry place away from humidity. Handle them by the edges, and keep them in acid-free boxes or paper where possible.
Related reading
For the insignia that appears on the same uniforms, see Civil War military insignia and rank identification. For a clue to a uniform’s origin that goes beyond buttons, read Confederate uniforms: how to tell them apart from Union issue. Caps often carry the same kinds of clues, so see Civil War kepis: identification and makers’ marks. Before you buy a lot of buttons or any other period item, read where to buy Civil War uniforms.