Metal Shank Button - "Harshorne & Sons" ??

jdog09 · May 26, 2020

Hi everyone. I metal detected this old shank button near an old hospital in NC that was built in the 1850s. It is 3/4" in diameter. Does anyone know if this button could date to that period? Also, can anyone tell me about the manufacturer? The back of the button says something like "Hartshornes & Sons". I also see a couple letters closer to the shank. Maybe "TA"...

EmuDetector · May 26, 2020

Looks like any of the 1800s buttons I've pulled up, I'm sure someone here might know the maker. I'm not familiar with them.

Here's a page to help you.
https://www.detecting.us/dating-and...s/dating-buttons-by-shank-style-and-material/

jdog09 · May 26, 2020

Thanks for the info. The link says "page not found". :/

jdog09 · May 26, 2020

It's working now. Thanks.

duggap · May 27, 2020

I don't show a "Hartshorn & Sons. In McGuinn and Bazelon's backmark book I found the following: "Hartshorn, Norfolk, Va. B/m (w/o initials) on c. 1840's NA-106, rmdc. Possible the S. Hartshorn listed form at least 1852-60 as operating an ice house at 13 Loyalls Lane. Norfolk is spelled as "Norfold" Va. Another b/m gives "S. W. Hartshorn/ Norfolk.Va" on a c1840 navy button, eagle on vertical anchor. (Courtesy Robert Edmondson)."

Most American flat buttons were made between 1820 and 1840. After that date, they started falling our of favor as the technology was available to make buttons out of bone, mother of pearl, etc. I think the above dates would fit your button.

MKW · May 27, 2020

Could it be Horstmann Bros??

Metal Shank Button - "Harshorne & Sons" ??

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