silver on copper buttons eagle wings and Turkey crest

[jason]

Hi

I would be grateful if any one could help identify 6 silver on copper buttons depicting eagle wings and turkey crests.

The reverse states warranted best quality

i think they date from 1880 would they be american? and what would the crests denote? civil war ??

many thanks for any help


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[jason]

I have located that a number of American Civil War buttons are very simmilar to this design and quite a few have the same makers mark on the back 'Warranted best quality'

I think on the front the peacock is in fact a wild Turkey, which may link to Ben Franklin who advocated the national symbol of America should not be an eagle but a wild Turkey.

I am sure these must be American and would probably date earlier to the American Civil War, look forward to any help!

[admin]

Hi,
I have no idea if they are English or American, but sorry, that isn't a turkey, not with the crest on his head and this tail feather pattern.

Regards, Tom

[dragonflywink]

Have been a button collector for over 30 years and while uniform buttons aren't really my area, I run across them often and have a decent assortment of references. Must agree with Tom that the bird is not a turkey, it is a peacock. Believe that they're not a military buttons, but rather livery buttons, used on the uniforms of the household staff of upper class families, with the raised wings and peacock being a family crest. May be American and I've seen U.S. uniform buttons (dating from the mid 19th century into the 20th) with similar backs, but the generic "Warranted Best Quality" could also be British.

Cheryl ;o)