-40%

GAR reversible hard rubber "mourning" type cuff- Civil War Union veterans button

$ 18.48

Availability: 57 in stock
  • Conflict: Civil War (1861-65)
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Modified Item: No
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Condition: See description for details.

    Description

    For sale is one non-dug, cuff-size (15 mm) Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Civil War Union veterans' button.
    With a reversible composition back "so that either side of the button could be used" and a threaded shank, this button is specifically listed as Albert's VN12.  He writes that this type was "patented Sept. 29, 1885 by Noyes F. Palmer."
    Mike Woshner, in his 1999 book "
    India-Rubber and Gutta-Percha In the Civil War Era" writes that these were used as "mourning buttons" to enable the dark hard rubber face to be shown for funerals.
    This example is in excellent condition with a straight functional shank, no pushes, and a nice finish.  This example also has a composition back which is not highly beveled on the rear edge as most others we have seen; we hypothesize that this could be an early manufacture of the type.
    For shipping, we use well-padded boxes, typically ship same- or next-day, and always combine costs on multiple lots (USPS insurance required over 0).