Created by:

Scovill Manufacturing Company, American  Search this

Medium:

brass (alloy)

Dimensions:

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

Type:

buttons (fasteners)

Date:

1861-1865

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.

Topic:

African American  Search this

Clothing and dress  Search this

Military  Search this

Slavery  Search this

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

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.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Clothing-Historical

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

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

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2011.4.5