Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

[tjdull]

Hello!

I've got a generic muslin machine sewn shirt that HAD pewter/tin buttons. I'm sure you are familair with the type. I've also got a pair of sky blue trousers with the same pewter/tin buttons. My problem is that the metal buttons have cut throught the thread and I have lost many of the them.

I was hoping to replace the shirt buttons with pearl and the trousers buttons (fly & suspender) with wood. However, I thought I ask over here first to see what others have done when they needed to replace buttons.

Thanks,
Terry

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

Need more info!

depending on your impression and the period mfg'r of the items; eg contractor, home made, arsenal produced etc.

Are the items civilian in nature or martial?

Union or Confederate?

Early mid or late war?

The possibilities are many.

Start with some research then appropriate materials. A few examples of materials are paper-backed tin, bone, glass, china, brass, pewter or rubber.

[tjdull]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

Start with some research then appropriate materials. A few examples of materials are paper-backed tin, bone, glass, china, brass, pewter or rubber.

Ummm ... rubber? I never would have guessed. I didn't see wood mentioned, so I guess that wouldn't be acceptable.

To answer some of your questions ...

Union
Trousers are Federal Sky Blue Issue
Shirt is the unbleached muslin "Issue" Shirt
Time period should be early war, as that will be acceptable up to the end of the war.

Thanks!

[Garrett Silliman]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

He's referring to hard rubber or gutta percha - a common button for civilian clothes in the mid-nineteenth century (also Berdan S-shooter buttons). Sounds like you need paper-backed tin buttons on your trousers and a new shirt.

[tjdull]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

Sounds like you need paper-backed tin buttons on your trousers and a new shirt.

Thanks ... You've been a big help. I'm trying to improve my authenticity one small step at a time.

[VMurphy]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

Im not familiar with what was initially put on the garments....but as buttons werer lost, otheres werer replaced...don't forget glass, bone, pearl,tauga(nut) horn, all of these were used on civiliian clothing and would have been available. In a large stash of buttons I purchased this summer, I even found round gutta percha buttons that are painted various colors. In that case you wouldn;t be aware of the material unless you scraped the paint from one. :(
Vivian Murphy

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

There were no muslin "issue" shirts issued by the US Gov. during the war as far as I know. If you have a plain white muslin shirt search for mother of pearl or bone buttons. US Issue trousers were equipped with tin buttons not pewter buttons.

[tjdull]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

There were no muslin "issue" shirts issued by the US Gov. during the war ....

Thanks! Yes, the Sulter told me it was an "issue" shirt ... which is why I put it in quotes in my first post, I knew it wasn't. I do know that an actual issued Federal shirt was some kind of awful gray wool thing that would make an elephant itchy ...

I'd like to thank everyone for their input ... I've ordered some paper-backed tin buttons for my trousers and have decided on pearl buttons for the shirt.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

Terry, wool shirts are not as awfull itchy as you might think. If you want to portray the common Union soldier and if you ant to get a feeling how it was like you should simply wear what they wore back then.
I agree that issue shirts are terrible in the summer but for fall, spring andwinter they are fine!

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

I do know that an actual issued Federal shirt was some kind of awful gray wool thing that would make an elephant itchy ...

I wear an issue shirt made of domet wool flannel with a period undershirt, its not bad at all. I even where the shirt in the summer when most others won't even think about it.

BTW sutler row "sutlers" are scammers that will tell you any kind of lie just to get you to buy their crap!! Not that every sutler on the "row" sells inauthentic stuff, most do however.

Pards,

[Secesh]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

I would suggest that in the future you try to purchase as mauch as your gear as possible from the Authentic Campaigner Apprved Vendors list, or on the Military Buy, Sell, Trade Forum. All reputable, all correct.

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

.... A few examples of materials are paper-backed tin, bone, glass, china, brass, pewter or rubber.

Ummm ... rubber? I never would have guessed. I didn't see wood mentioned, so I guess that wouldn't be acceptable.

To answer some of your questions ...

Union
Trousers are Federal Sky Blue Issue
Shirt is the unbleached muslin "Issue" Shirt
Time period should be early war, as that will be acceptable up to the end of the war.

Thanks!

Terry,
If you look I said a "few examples..." wood is approriate for some impressions but not others. I just didn't list it is as there are many materials available in today's marketplace. I also didn't list pocelain, horn, mother of pearl, copper, seashell and silver. There are still more materials not listed!

I just wanted to impress upon you that some research or more research is needed. Then choose what is most correct and available.

example: Ivory was widely used material in the 1800s used for various items. However it is illegal to harvest, used or even possess in today's world. A substitute material would have to be used unless you wanted to pay a large fine & possible jail time.

Libraries are a great place to start research and cost is very minimal or even free.

[tjdull]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

Then choose what is most correct and available.

Thank you all, very kindly.

@Prodical Reb => It is that exact issue that plagues me. The most correct and available.

When it comes to uniforms, headgear, weapons, brogans, etc ... photo documentation & unit histories are ez to find and to use in improving my impression. It is the esoteric minutia … like buttons … that drive me to drink.

So, rather than turning to the jug of rum I keep on the back porch, I stop in to the Authentic Campaigner to ask what others have done before me.

While I will never be a progressive authentic campaigner, I will always be looking to improve my impression and I thank all here for their sage advice with the details.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

If it comes to your issue with rum I recommend: http://www.aa.org/ (Woring for me!)

When it comes to your impression I recommend, A. Read first hand accounts, B. Look at period photographs , C. Dig into the search function on this site. You will learn allot. D. Don't ever buy anything from a "sutler".

[RNMCSA]

Re: Correct Buttons for Shirt & Trousers

"While I will never be a progressive authentic campaigner, I will always be looking to improve my impression and I thank all here for their sage advice with the details."
Sir,
I belive unless I misunderstand the meaning of the term "progressive" you are just that, by the desire to improve and find out how to do it right. Perhaps it will not even be long before you are saving up for that grey dommit flanel shirt. As for the rum well I agree with Robert. Good luck and as I do read, read, read. Just my 2bits.