My Frock Coats Buttons

[Raven]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Sooo, you would have mixed and matched buttons on a new coat?

Does this seem logical?

Pardon my bad english but I ment I would sew random buttons on the jacket

[lukegilly13]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

There is also this to take into consideration, with the laws after the war, how many guys took off their state seal buttons and what not because they couldn't legally wear them and threw bone, wood, cloth covered buttons on there? I certainly didn't look at every jacket in the MOC but the majority do have brass of some sort instead of the "natural" buttons.

No doubt lots were removed...some were even taken by relic hunters. Didn't mean to suggest your info was inaccurate as I agree with it. Just trying to throw something else to consider into the conversation.

I know the Columbus Depot purchased many wooden and bone buttons. Also, I wonder how many brass buttons were replaced by field-made wooden buttons? I believe that Fletcher in "Rebel Private Front and Rear" discusses a situation where he took a break to whittle a wooden button to replace one missing from his jacket...he is later shot and hit in that button and removes part of it from the wound. Very moving story!

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Pardon my bad english but I ment I would sew random buttons on the jacket

I think Jim's point was that this is a new coat...thus, why sew random buttons on when the coat hasn't been worn enough to warrant "replacement" buttons?

When, in the natural course of its wear, you lose a button, by all means replace it with what you have available in your sewing kit, be it mis-matched or not.

As always, as originally suggested, find out what the coat maker's original inspiration was, and go to the source to find what buttons your coat's ancestral clone had.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Hallo!

I believe the fad of all mismatched buttons on new coats or jackets faded about 1988 or 1989.

;) :)

Curt

[Raven]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

I think Jim's point was that this is a new coat...thus, why sew random buttons on when the coat hasn't been worn enough to warrant "replacement" buttons?

When, in the natural course of its wear, you lose a button, by all means replace it with what you have available in your sewing kit, be it mis-matched or not.

As always, as originally suggested, find out what the coat maker's original inspiration was, and go to the source to find what buttons your coat's ancestral clone had.

So are you saying I should keep the farby buttons on the jacket until they fall off?

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Let's try this one more time...

1. Figure out what buttons were on the original coat yours is based on.
2. Replace "CSA" buttons with a complete set of the buttons that are correct for that coat.
3. If a button falls off, replace it with what you have available.

[Raven]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Let's try this one more time...

1. Figure out what buttons were on the original coat yours is based on.
2. Replace "CSA" buttons with a complete set of the buttons that are correct for that coat.
3. If a button falls off, replace it with what you have available.

Oh!!!!!! okay now it makes since. I guess I got some more researching to do.

[Hardtack Herring]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Hello,

What people are saying is......

1. CSA buttons are rare

2. If your coat is based off an original coat can you find out what buttons were on it and use them

3. Eagle buttons or block I would be a good replacement choice if #2 can not be met.

Is it possible for you to take a picture of your frock and post it here. I think this would be a good idea as the coats authenticity is a little questionable from your description.

As to common buttons I would like to point out that when looking at the picture of CS dead at the Rose Farm at Gettysburg I remember seeing at least one jacket with wood buttons. Wood buttons turned up in other cs dead images as well. At one time I was looking at all the dead CS images I could find that i could zoom in on the buttons. Sounds crazy but I had fun doing it.

I also would like to point out coin buttons (flat brass buttons). Tons of these have been dug up. Right Jim Mayo? I was a little surprised they were not included in the top 3 most common CS jacket buttons.

As for CS soldiers not being able to have state seal buttons on their jackets after the war.... I have not heard of that before.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

Hi,

I also would like to point out coin buttons (flat brass buttons). Tons of these have been dug up. Right Jim Mayo? I was a little surprised they were not included in the top 3 most common CS jacket buttons.

CS government did supply these, at least in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.

Andrew

[BrandonEnglish]

Re: My Frock Coats Buttons

And original flat brass coin buttons are pretty cheap. I always find them at antique shows, flea markets for about 2 bucks a pop many with the makers stamp on the back. Kind of nice having original period buttons on a coat that aren't worth a small fortune :)