buttons for civilian pants

[rbrewer]

I have a new pair of civilian pants( dark brown FHW cotton) I have found some antique mother of pearl buttons which I plan to use( some smooth face, some carved)my question is I would like to use buttons which are approx 1" across the front for the pockets and fly, would this be suitable for an 1860's civilian?( I also have some approx 1/2" across the front - would these be more accurate?)
Thank You
Bob Brewer

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: buttons for civilian pants

Hello,

All the surviving original civilian trousers I have viewed utilized painted metal buttons, but there is also evidence that gutta percha and rubber were also utilized. Typically they were 1/2" in diameter. If you are talking about buttons that secure the French pocket flaps you don't even need to have buttons and buttonholes as not all of them were buttonable. I would search for a good painted metal button to use rather than Mother of Pearl.

[Rich Mason]

Re: buttons for civilian pants

Bob,

John Zaharais, lists "Reproduction, enameled black tin, suspender buttons, 5/8" stippled pattern, 4-hole, .30 cents each" (taken from his ad in the August 2003 edition of the Civil War News).

He also lists the same button, but original for $1.25 each

His contact info is:

John Zaharais, Sutler
P O Box 3561
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone (717) 337-3500
Fax (717) 337-3520
E-mail orders: jazsutler@worldnet.att.net

Hope that helps,

Rich Mason

[Bill Cross]

Re: buttons for civilian pants

Chris Sullivan, who has researched pants of the period, both civilian and military, tells me that white china buttons (which are easy to come by) were very popular all around. Gutta percha buttons are harder to find in my experience, and you have to know what you're looking for (many sellers on eBay, for example, put up modern plastic buttons as "antique," since anything before the 1970s seems to qualify for that rubric). I have purchased white china buttons in lots for very reasonable prices several times on-line.

[rbrewer]

Re: buttons for civilian pants

than you to all that replied
I appreciate your time and input
Most Sincerely Yours
Bob Brewer