Old Button

[dpetes]

I have an old, US indian service button, maker is Mark Cowen & Co.  Can anybody give me any type of info? All I have found iout is Mark Cowen & company was back in 1889-1916, New York. If posible, what was the purpose of button? is it worth anything?

Thanks for any help given!!
Dwayne

[St. George]

Unfortunately, your 'Indian Service' button has been reproduced in profusion - in two sizes.

Originals are marked by Scoville Mfg Co./Waterbury', and 'Waterbury Button Co./Conn.'

Fakes are 'Tiffany' marked - and 'Mark Cowan & Co.'.

The fakes seem to all have come from England, back in the middle 1960's - early 1970's, when all those cast-iron banks and 'Tiffany-marked' lampshades and such first hit these shores.

Now that decades (and numerous rides to and from flea markets and gun shows and small antique shows in boxes and Riker Mounts) - these things are getting worn and are looking better and better.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[rebsr52339]

I grew up in Watertown, about 7 miles north of Waterbury. I remember in 1944,45 the mountains of empty artillery shells there for recycling. At the time I believe there were 7 large brass factories there and it was known as the brass center of the world. Wow that was a long time ago. They had been making buttons for the armed forces for almost 100 years then.

[dpetes]

Thank you very much for the info. Guess I'll just have to file it in the file 13 area.

Quite a site you have here. Thanks for letting me in!

Dwayne

[JimBob]

At one time I found a site on those English made fake belt buckles and buttons that started showing up in the 60s and 70s.Anybody out there have a sight address?