Framed set of U.S. military (24) buttons excavated at a War of 1812 site

1810-1814

Place madeUnited States, North America

Bronze, brass

Largest: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )

INV.6219.1-24

These buttons were excavated by the Field Exploration Committee at Fort George, a British fort along the Niagara River in Ontario, Canada, on the border of New York and Canada. It was built in 1795 and captured by American forces in 1813. The unnumbered Regiment of Artillerists buttons were first manufactured in 1810, and were replaced by the numbered Artillery buttons in 1812, when regiments were added to prepare for the war. The Corps of Artillery button was first manufactured in 1814.

DescriptionBronze or brass United States Artillery buttons excavated at Fort George, a British fort in Ontario, Canada; solid bronze or brass disks with the emblem, number or symbol of their regiment in the center of the button; most buttons have foliate script lettering and a small oval border design around the regiment number; one button has the design of an eagle perched atop a cannon.

Markingsstamped: (1), on face of button: "RA" (foliate script; Regiment of Artillerists) stamped: (2-4), face: "RA/2" (foliate; 2nd Regiment of Artillery) stamped: (5), face: "RA" (foliate) stamped: (6), face: "RA/2" (foliate) stamped: (7), face: "1.REGT." (1st Regiment, Corps of Artillery) stamped: (8), face: "A/1" (1st Regiment of Artillery) stamped: (9), face: "A/2" (2nd Regiment of Artillery) stamped: (10-11), face: "A/3" (3rd Regiment of Artillery) stamped: (12-24), face: "A/1" (1st Regiment of Artillery)

ClassificationsARCHAEOLOGY