Three Challenges??

[Mild53]

Can you help me out with these?

Item 1 is the easy one (I hope). Pictured is a coat sized Alabama button, with a backmark of “Superfin Paris”. Is this Civil War? Any idea as to its value? Should I polish it – or leave it as is?

Item 2 is an well worn brass eagle about 1” in size with solder on the back. I got this in a box of CW items but I have no idea what this is. Any ideas?

Item 3 is a second "silver" looking eagle that I bet is not Civil War. I bet its not silver either. It attached by a stud with screw threads.

THANKS,

Curt

[PCGeorge]

Welcome to the Civil War Bullet forums, Curt.

Item 1 (the button):
The "Superfin Paris" backmark is documented as being definitely civil-war era ...and this particular button is quite valuable. Therefore, Rule #1 for relic-collectors applies especially to it: NEVER POLISH A RELIC. Polishing knocks off at least 50% of its value. You'll make it look like a modern reproduction.

Item 2:
I'm not an Insignia expert. All I can say is that in 32 years of relic-hunting I've never seen an excavated one of that design from a civil war site. Nor do I recall seeing it in any of the civil-war Insignia books I've read. I don't think it's 20th-century, though. Perhaps someone else here can be more help to you with this item than I can.

Item 3:
Any insignia with a threaded stud on the back is waaay post-civil-war.

Regards,
Pete [PCGeorge]

[kcsteve]

Welcome aboard Curt!
Picture #1 is a very fine example of a Alabama State Seal button. Wow, what a beauty! Just like PCGeorge says, "Polishing will knock off 50% of it's value". I personally would leave it as is.

Picture #2 has me puzzled as well but for some reason it has the character of something made in WWII. I have nothing to back that up but it just looks like something from that era.

Picture #3 has me stumped although the shield looks similar to being civil war period but no reference to ID it.

Again, welcome aboard!

[kcsteve]

Curt:
I was checking out one last reference book: "Civil War Collector's Price Guide", the expanded 8th edition. It has your state seal button listed on page 92. In excavated condition price value $650-$900, in NE or non excavated $1,600+. Also of note: Only "Superfin/Paris" (AB 1 A5) and "Schuyler, H&G/New York" (AB 1 A 3) backmarks are considered pre- 1865. Now that's a fine button to be proud of!!!

[axit1]

Originally Posted by Mild53

Can you help me out with these?

Item 1 is the easy one (I hope). Pictured is a coat sized Alabama button, with a backmark of “Superfin Paris”. Is this Civil War? Any idea as to its value? Should I polish it – or leave it as is?

Item 2 is an well worn brass eagle about 1” in size with solder on the back. I got this in a box of CW items but I have no idea what this is. Any ideas?

Item 3 is a second "silver" looking eagle that I bet is not Civil War. I bet its not silver either. It attached by a stud with screw threads.

THANKS,

Curt

Since item 1 and 3 have been answered I'll try item 2. The shield on the eagle is of a design used from the first world through the second world war.Notice the square sides of the shield and compare that with the shield on a great seal button of WW1.

[axit1]

Originally Posted by axit1

Since item 1 and 3 have been answered I'll try item 2. The shield on the eagle is of a design used from the first world through the second world war.Notice the square sides of the shield and compare that with the shield on a great seal button of WW1.

Since item no 1 and item no 3 have been have been identified, I will attempt to identify item no2. Notice the shield on the eagle, it appears very similar to the shield on the great seal buttons of WW1 and WW2 ie square sided.and the makeup in the shield is the same.
AXIT1