forgotten button

[Noah]

I don’t remember when or where I found this button, but since the weather is still too cold here in Illinois I decided to clean this with CLR. To my surprise it has gold gilded still on it! It’s about the size of the tip of my pinky. Any ideas on kind? Military possibly?
It’s a 2 piece.

 

[Full Metal Digger]

Noah, is the picture under water? Looks like a nice military or cadet button but I can't make out the design!

 

[fyrffytr1]

I tried enhancing your photo but the device on the front is still not identifiable. A better picture of the front and any markings on the back of your button will help get it IDed. Being "pinky" sized it is most likely a cuff button and it does have a military look to it.

 

[aloldstuff]

Lots of gold gilt left on that button. Hope someone confirms that it is military.

 

[Noah]

Lots of gold gilt left on that button. Hope someone confirms that it is military.

Sorry for the lousy photo. I failed my photography class in high school (always left the cap off too long and subject always moved to much).
I hope this is a little better. definitely 13 stars. Back side might be tough but I’ll try.

 

[Digger Don]

Next time I see you I'm going to give you some lens cleaning wipes!!:hystericallaugh:

 

[Tony Two-Cent]

He must be steaming up his lens with all that heavy breathing.

 

[Noah]

Funny simple solution (cleaning) seems to be the problem. I can’t believe the gunk that was on the lens! I’ll try taking a better photo

 

[Noah]

He must be steaming up his lens with all that heavy breathing.

Is that better?

 

[Noah]

Here’s the back

 

[Tony Two-Cent]

Much better! :thumbsup02:

The button appears to have CS on it, or maybe it's SC.

 

[Noah]

I’m pretty excited about it. Would have missed it but for the cold weather. Just can’t find another like it on line. Where is Don when I need him? :hystericallaugh:

 

[BTV Digger]

See below...

 

[BTV Digger]

Great looking button Noah! I agree with fyrffytr1 that it looks possibly military. One other possibility is it could be old Chicago Transit line related. You're in Illinois correct? The big C in the middle possibly suggests that. Back in the late 1800s/early 1900s there were numerous trolley lines, each with their unique insignia for conductors. It was all consolidated by 1914 into the more modern system we know today. The only reason I know is I strangely found a cool old transit line button about 2 years ago here in VT. It's worth a search if you can't turn up anything military. Here's a few examples of other railway buttons with a prominent "C" in the insiginia - 1 Canadian and 1 American. Images of the old transit line buttons are harder to come by, if indeed that's what it is.



John

 

[Noah]

Thanks very much. Raises all kinds of interesting possibilities. Has 13 stars wrapped around it which is why I thought military. Shank is solid. Anyway I will keep looking to identify. irate:

 

[Digger Don]

I don't know guys, I don't see an S. To me, it looks more like 3 C's or 3 horse shoes.
The mystery continues!!!

 

[Full Metal Digger]

Noah, It's an AWESOME button! I'm thinking CS stands for Canadian Sausages. Don't you live near a Canadian sausage factory? Actually, I like the theory above about a Chicago trolley service. That style of button looks 1880s to 1910 to me.

 

[Noah]

I’m going with Canadian Sausages. They regularly provided sausages to the thirteenth colonies, competing with Great Britain. VERY RARE BUTTON. I have the only one. :rofl:

 

[fyrffytr1]

I edited your photo a little to show it in it's correct orientation. It is a 3 piece button which makes me think some kind of staff officers one. It does look like a script C S on it. You are right, the back is toast but I think that might be N Y at the 2-3 o'clock position. I'll see what I can find.

 

[Willems]

Nice find.