Use of wooden buttons

[unclefrank]

What would be the opinions out there on the use of Wooden buttons on Confederate uniform items? I have read that many Southern people considered them fit for only use by the very poor, or slave's clothing. Would they be a use of last resort item?

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

They were definitely used and I have used them on my jackets in the past. Missouri Boot and Shoe (an AC approved vendor) makes splendid reprodutions of them.

There is a SC documented RD jacket that with wooden buttons (even on the epaulets) as well as the "mystery" jacket in the Gettysburg visitors' center.

As with all things, look to the details of your impression, event scenarios, and what is documented to determine what is the most appropriate for you.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

One of the LOC pictures of the Gettysburg dead shows wooden buttons on at least one of the soldiers coat when enlarged.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

Hi,

There is a Columbus Depot with wooden buttons, along with several Richmond Depot jackets. If I remember correctly, the Atlanta Depot jackets had wooden buttons.

Andrew

[ferraius]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

Why would the government want to spend more money than it had to on buttons for clothing that was to be issued to men who would soon enough be killed and buried?

[DougCooper]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

this has been covered beaucoup times on this forum in various ways, but perhaps the best threads were lost in the warp of 2004.

ALL the surviving (4) so-called "Mystery Jackets" and the one pair of accompanying trousers were issed with identical wooden buttons (trousers have a smaller version). Additionally, most of the surviving 4 button jackets have wooden buttons.

Jackets last 6-9 months, trousers less - wooden buttons don't need to last longer than the garment.

[lukegilly13]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

Jackets last 6-9 months, trousers less - wooden buttons don't need to last longer than the garment.

You are right...but they need to last as long as the jacket to still be on there in 2009. I've always wondered if more wooden and/or bone buttons were used than we think...but only brass has survived the test of time.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Use of wooden buttons

I'll chime in on why wooden buttons would not have been desireable if there were another option. The chemical make-up of the laundry soap of the time dissolved the wood, not to mention quick transition from hot to cold water would warp the wood. Again, they would not expect to clean jackets or trousers in the same manner, if at all, so using wood buttons on them was obviously thought a viable option.