Period clothing buttons

[Deadeye Don]

Ok I  know this has been discussed before and I thought I had bookmarked some sites, but I cant find them now.  I am looking for a source to buy period correct buttons to replace some plastic ones on existing clothing.   Any sources would be appreciated.
Regards. Deadeye.

[Fox Creek Kid]

http://www.silentstitches.com/Fabric.htm

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Hello Don

                                   Try these
        www.crazycrow.com

        www.hansons.net

        www.oldetymemercantile.com/clothing_accessories.htm#buttons

        www.buffalobrothers.net

                                            Ten Wolves

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy DD,

James Country Mercantile has several types, bone, original glass, brass & pewter.

[Deadeye Don]

Thanks pards.  Now next question.  What is more correct,  counter sunk center bone buttons vs.  smooth face bone buttons?  OR am I getting a bit too OCD on this???   

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

                                                 Smoooooooth Face 

[Deadeye Don]

                                                 Smoooooooth Face 

LOL  got it.   

[Dr. Bob]

Most of the antique bone buttons that I have, and have seen have a raised rim.  I keep my eyes open at the antique malls and buy what I find if they aren't too expensive.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Hey, Don!

Are ya lookin' ONLY at bone?  If not, ask Andy.  I got 4 or 5 types of repro correct buttons at FCS.  Goodyear, metal, metal w/ paper backing, etc.

Found some real bone at - of all places - Wally World.

[Deadeye Don]

Hey, Don!

Are ya lookin' ONLY at bone?  If not, ask Andy.  I got 4 or 5 types of repro correct buttons at FCS.  Goodyear, metal, metal w/ paper backing, etc.

Found some real bone at - of all places - Wally World.

Jeff,  Good idea.  I looked on his website and didnt see any bone buttons.   He may have items not on his website so I will ask him.  I also found some at Blockade Runner for .35 cents a piece.  Looks like they would work.  I am thinking of changing out the buttons on my duster as well as the carhart coat I bought to make them more period correct.  The carhart coat came with what appears to be brass buttons but with the carhart name embossed on each button.     Dont they understand we need buttons with no logo on them for our use?

So my big decision now is countersunk centers or not.   Getting geared up for March!!  Thanks for all the replies pards.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Don, I don't remember that they had any bone buttons.  I bought a housewife from them and asked about other buttons.  They had numerous types, but since I was looking primarily at the smaller, trowsers and shirt sized ones, I didn't ask about the large, coat sized ones.


I know what ya mean about the Carhart buttons - and similar others.  Those big companies just don't seem to understand!  You may have all the outerwear you need, but if you're looking for more ya might check out Tractor Supply.  I found a GREAT "range coat" style of button-front, blanket lined, (just below the) belt length coat there several years ago.  It was about 1/2 the price of a nearly identical Carhart version they had, which I had gone there to look at/buy.  It also was a different color - more light brown, rather than dark mustard.  It has no zippers and only 1 snap pocket.  And snaps ARE period correct for the late 1880s - mayhaps earlier, but James Hunt, Delmonico, Chantilly and others more knowledgeable would know more specifics.

Keep yer powder dry!

Jeff

[Deadeye Don]

Thanks Jeff,  I already have the carhart so I am trying to make it look a bit more historical.  I also thought about grinding down the carhart logo off the button.   Now for Velcro..............   

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks Jeff,  I already have the carhart so I am trying to make it look a bit more historical.  I also thought about grinding down the carhart logo off the button.   Now for Velcro..............   

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Gents

            Don you can make your own buttons , if you have a band saw , drill press or Dremmel tool , all you need is some dear antler, or elk antler and cut them the thickness you want and put the holes in them for sewing , we used to do this in the Boy scouts, they look totaly period correct ,and they are easy to make , just depends on what size button you want , deer or elk



                                                  Ten Wolves

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Cool idea, 10 Wolf!

And, thanks to Delmonico, I have some antler to try it with.  I can get some shirt buttons, easy!

Thanks again, Glen.

[Deadeye Don]

You all have alot more time and alot more TALENT than I do.   

[Delmonico]

Cool idea, 10 Wolf!

And, thanks to Delmonico, I have some antler to try it with.  I can get some shirt buttons, easy!

Thanks again, Glen.

Like I told ya Jeff, I kept the good part and ate it, never have found a good recipe for antlers.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

You all have alot more time and alot more TALENT than I do.   

Don't know about the TALENT part, Don.   

Like I told ya Jeff, I kept the good part and ate it, never have found a good recipe for antlers.

With all the sources of recipes YOU have, pard - I'm surprised!      
They'd prob'ly taste like chicken. 

[River City John]

Quite often coat, top coat and even vest buttons were fabric covered in the same fabric as the garment. Any good notions shop will have the kits to make them, basically a shank attached to a saucer and a domed top to press over the saucer after covering with fabric and tucking the edges under so as to capture them when the two halfs are pressed together. They come in all sizes.

Dixie Gun Works has a nice selection of buttons, too. www.dixiegunworks.com  Dixie offers bone and antler buttons pre-drilled and carded according to size for not too much money.

A word of caution, if you're going to be sawing antler for buttons, might want to do it outdoors or in the garage. It produces the same kind of odor as when you burn fingernail clippings, only more potent.

RCJ

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Steel Horse & Don

making bone buttons from antlers is not hard to do , one thing to remember is when you make the button holes , make sure you bevel the hole edges, these edges are real sharp and if you don't bevel or round them over, they will cut your thread, the dremmel tool makes short work of this, useing a angle pointed grinding tip, or you can use a small pointed rasp file, you can also sand and polish them to your likeing, these buttons really look period , and they are fun to make. maybe you can get some antlers from Del?


                                                  Ten Wolves