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Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved.

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How to engage the slide show:

click on the first image on the left of the gallery below, then select the arrow at the bottom left of the enlarged image. Or you can manually go to the next slide by hovering your cursor on the middle right side then clicking the arrow that appears. Hover your cursor on the middle left side  then click the arrow that appears to go backwards. Close the slide show or manual show by clicking the X button on the lower right of the image. (The image of each button is followed by an image of that button's back or reverse side.)

Acknowledgments, References and information for this category are at the bottom of this page.

Button Country

An Educational Resource for Button Collectors - originally created by Paul Rice

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved.                                                  Website redesigned and Maintained by Deborah Hanson

Section 10 : Metals

* To download and print pdfs of the metals worksheet click these links: page 1 , page 2 , page 3.

Some descriptions of these buttons may be cut off.  Full descriptions can be seen in the slide show mode.

10-1 White Metal - Brass OME
10-1 White Metal - Brass OME
10-1 White Metal - Tinted
10-1 White Metal - Tinted
10-1 White Metal - Nickel plate - BM "Alpaca Mexico"
10-1 White Metal - Nickel plate - BM "Alpaca Mexico"
10-1 White Metal - Steel OME
10-1 White Metal - Steel OME
10-2 Aluminum - Cast
10-2 Aluminum - Cast
10-2 Aluminum - Anodized
10-2 Aluminum - Anodized
10-2 Aluminum - Painted Stencil
10-2 Aluminum - Painted Stencil
10-2 Aluminum - Painted & Cut
10-2 Aluminum - Painted & Cut
10-2 Aluminum - Stamped
10-2 Aluminum - Stamped
10-2 Aluminum - Anodized
10-2 Aluminum - Anodized
10-2 Aluminum - Gold paint
10-2 Aluminum - Gold paint
10-2 Aluminum - Verbal
10-2 Aluminum - Verbal
10-3 Pewter
10-3 Pewter
10-3 Pewter - Christina BM
10-3 Pewter - Christina BM
10-3 Pewter - Danforth BM Paint DF
10-3 Pewter - Danforth BM Paint DF
10-3 Pewter - Danforth BM - Cold Plastic Enamel DF
10-3 Pewter - Danforth BM - Cold Plastic Enamel DF
10-3 Pewter - Rimmed (See reference 2, plate 80 for explanation)
10-3 Pewter - Rimmed (See reference 2, plate 80 for explanation)
10-3 Pewter - Faced (BM "Patent") (See reference 2, plate 81 for explanation)
10-3 Pewter - Faced (BM "Patent")
(See reference 2, plate 81 for explanation)
10-3.1 Pewter - Bright Cut
10-3.1 Pewter - Bright Cut
10-3.1 Pewter - Bright Cut
10-3.1 Pewter - Bright Cut
10-3.2 Pewter - Hard White (BM)
10-3.2 Pewter - Hard White (BM)
10-3.3 Pewter - Soft Cast
10-3.3 Pewter - Soft Cast
10-3.3 Pewter - Soft Cast High lead content - "Plumbago" type
10-3.3 Pewter - Soft Cast
High lead content - "Plumbago" type
10-4 Silver - Studio BM "AF - 88"
10-4 Silver - Studio BM "AF - 88"
10-4 Silver - Plate - Used on Bagpiper Costume
10-4 Silver - Plate - Used on Bagpiper Costume
10-4.1 Silver - American Indian
10-4.1 Silver - American Indian
10-4.1 Silver - Mexican - (925) Silver (BM)
10-4.1 Silver - Mexican - (925) Silver (BM)
10-4.2 Silver - Hallmarked - BM "N&H + hallmarks"
10-4.2 Silver - Hallmarked - BM "N&H + hallmarks"
10-4.2 Silver - Hallmarked - Sterling (925) Silver (BM)
10-4.2 Silver - Hallmarked - Sterling (925) Silver (BM)
10-4.2 Silver - Hallmarked - Sterling (930) Silver (BM)
10-4.2 Silver - Hallmarked - Sterling (930) Silver (BM)
10-4.3 Silver - Niello
10-4.3 Silver - Niello
10-5.1 Steel - Blued/Tinted Applied to all of the button
10-5.1 Steel - Blued/Tinted
Applied to all of the button
10-5.1 Steel - Blued/Tinted Applied to part of the button
10-5.1 Steel - Blued/Tinted
Applied to part of the button
10-5.1 Steel - Blued/Tinted applied to part of the button
10-5.1 Steel - Blued/Tinted applied to part of the button
10-5.2 Steel - Cut and Riveted - Blue, red & gold tinted on brass
10-5.2 Steel - Cut and Riveted - Blue, red & gold tinted on brass
10-5.2 Steel - Cut and Riveted - Black Glass OME
10-5.2 Steel - Cut and Riveted - Black Glass OME
10-5.2 Steel - Cut and Riveted - (on steel)
10-5.2 Steel - Cut and Riveted - (on steel)
10-5.3 Steel - Engraved/Etched
10-5.3 Steel - Engraved/Etched
10-5.4 Steel - Flat with applied design/decoration
10-5.4 Steel - Flat with applied design/decoration
10-5.5 Steel - Stamped/Forged - Tint
10-5.5 Steel - Stamped/Forged - Tint
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass with steel Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass with steel Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup - wood background
10-5.6 Steel Cup - wood background
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Paint DF
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Paint DF
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Shell Center - Watchwheel
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Shell Center - Watchwheel
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass OME
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass OME
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass OME
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Brass OME
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Pierced
10-5.6 Steel Cup - Pierced
10-5.6 Steel Cup Pierced Border/Pearl Center
10-5.6 Steel Cup
Pierced Border/Pearl Center
10-6 Tinned White Metal - Tin Plated Zinc - Perforate
10-6 Tinned White Metal - Tin Plated Zinc - Perforate
10-6 Tinned White Metal - Crystallized Tin
10-6 Tinned White Metal - Crystallized Tin
10-6 Tinned White Metal - Tin Plated Sheet Iron
10-6 Tinned White Metal - Tin Plated Sheet Iron
10-7 Yellow Metal - 14th Century Medieval (See Reference 3)
10-7 Yellow Metal - 14th Century Medieval (See Reference 3)
10-7 Yellow Metal - 17th Century English (See Reference 3)
10-7 Yellow Metal - 17th Century English (See Reference 3)
10-7 Yellow Metal - 18th Century Spanish
10-7 Yellow Metal - 18th Century Spanish
10-7 Yellow Metal - 18th Century Tombac
10-7 Yellow Metal - 18th Century Tombac
10-8 Brass - Paris BM
10-8 Brass - Paris BM
10-8 Brass - Openwork with steel OME
10-8 Brass - Openwork with steel OME
10-8 Brass - Openwork with steel OME
10-8 Brass - Openwork with steel OME
10-8 Brass - with steel shape
10-8 Brass - with steel shape
10-8 Brass - Tinted Steel OME - Black paint DF
10-8 Brass - Tinted Steel OME - Black paint DF
10-8 - Brass - See Blue Book 10-0, p.47.
10-8 - Brass - See Blue Book 10-0, p.47.
10-8 Brass - See Blue Book 10-0, p.47.
10-8 Brass - See Blue Book 10-0, p.47.
10-8 Brass - Verbal BM "CHAS.RUBENS & Co - CHIC."
10-8 Brass - Verbal
BM "CHAS.RUBENS & Co - CHIC."
10-8 Brass - 2-piece
10-8 Brass - 2-piece
10-8 Brass - Realistic
10-8 Brass - Realistic
10-8 Brass - Wallpaper heart (double pattern)
10-8 Brass - Wallpaper heart (double pattern)
10-8 Brass - Pewter - OME
10-8 Brass - Pewter - OME
10-9 Copper - 18th Century
10-9 Copper - 18th Century
10-9 Copper - 18th Century - Gilt plated, pierced
10-9 Copper - 18th Century - Gilt plated, pierced
10-9 Copper - 18th Century - Silver plated
10-9 Copper - 18th Century - Silver plated
10-9 Copper - BM "D. Evans Co." (Div. II)
10-9 Copper - BM "D. Evans Co." (Div. II)
10-9 Copper - Mexican
10-9 Copper - Mexican
10-9 Copper - Native American
10-9 Copper - Native American
10-9 Copper - Realistic
10-9 Copper - Realistic
10-9 Copper - Silvered (Worn)
10-9 Copper - Silvered (Worn)
10-10 Gilt - 18th Century - Three Color (copper/silver/gold)
10-10 Gilt - 18th Century - Three Color (copper/silver/gold)
10-10 Gilt - Sporting - "TREBLE STANDARD EXTRA RICH" BM
10-10 Gilt - Sporting - "TREBLE STANDARD EXTRA RICH" BM
10-10 Victorian Gilt - 2-piece
10-10 Victorian Gilt - 2-piece
10-10 Division III Gilt
10-10 Division III Gilt
10-10.1 Early Gilt English plain face- BM "GCST STRONG"
10-10.1 Early Gilt English plain face- BM "GCST STRONG"
10-10.1 Gilt English plain face Livery - BM "Firmin & Sons London"
10-10.1 Gilt English plain face Livery - BM "Firmin & Sons London"
10-10.1 Early Gilt (1820-1850) Watch Case "EXTRA RICH GILT" BM
10-10.1 Early Gilt (1820-1850) Watch Case "EXTRA RICH GILT" BM
10-10.1 Early Gilt - Britannia Hallmark BM "Double Gilt - No. 2"
10-10.1 Early Gilt - Britannia Hallmark
BM "Double Gilt - No. 2"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - 1-piece - BM "Ivan Hendrick & Co"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - 1-piece - BM "Ivan Hendrick & Co"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - 1-piece - BM "Scoville Waterbury"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - 1-piece - BM "Scoville Waterbury"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - BM "H. Sandland-Super Fine"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - BM "H. Sandland-Super Fine"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age-BM "R & W R - Extra Rich"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age-BM "R & W R - Extra Rich"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age-BM "Robinson Jones & Co"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age-BM "Robinson Jones & Co"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - BM "HAYDEN & SON-EXTRA RICH"
10-10.1.1 Golden Age - BM "HAYDEN & SON-EXTRA RICH"
10-10.1.2 Jacksonian (Pictorial) - BM "L. Kendrick .. Extra"
10-10.1.2 Jacksonian (Pictorial) - BM "L. Kendrick .. Extra"
10-10.1.2 Jacksonian "Cousin" (Non-pictorial) "Fancy Orange Color" BM
10-10.1.2 Jacksonian "Cousin" (Non-pictorial) "Fancy Orange Color" BM
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Screen
10-11 Background - Twinkle
10-11 Background - Twinkle
10-11 Background - Blue & silver foil
10-11 Background - Blue & silver foil
10-11 Background - All-over pattern background
10-11 Background - All-over pattern background
10-11 Background - All-over pattern background - Steel Cup)
10-11 Background - All-over pattern background - Steel Cup)
10-12.1 Decorative Finish (DF) - Cold Plastic Enamel (Studio)
10-12.1 Decorative Finish (DF) - Cold Plastic Enamel (Studio)
10-12.2 Decorative Finish (DF) - Enamel - BM "Depose"
10-12.2 Decorative Finish (DF) - Enamel - BM "Depose"
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) -Japanned
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) -Japanned
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) - Japanned
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) - Japanned
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) - Lacquered - plus enamel
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) - Lacquered - plus enamel
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) - Stenciled - Crystallized tin
10-12.3 Decorative Finish (DF) - Stenciled - Crystallized tin
10-12.4 Decorative Finish (DF) - Original Tint/Finish
10-12.4 Decorative Finish (DF) - Original Tint/Finish
10-12.4 Decorative Finish (DF) - Original Tint/Finish
10-12.4 Decorative Finish (DF) - Original Tint/Finish
10-12.4 Decorative Finish (DF) - fired on paint - BATTERSEA
10-12.4 Decorative Finish (DF) - fired on paint - BATTERSEA
10-12.5 Decorative Finish (DF) - Paint (fired) - Paris BM
10-12.5 Decorative Finish (DF) - Paint (fired) - Paris BM
10-12.5 Decorative Finish (DF) - Paint (fired) - Drum
10-12.5 Decorative Finish (DF) - Paint (fired) - Drum
10-12.5 Decorative Finish (DF) - Paint (not fired)
10-12.5 Decorative Finish (DF) - Paint (not fired)
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Escutcheon
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Escutcheon
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Coin type
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Coin type
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Cut Steels
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Cut Steels
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Tint
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Tint
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Cricket Cage
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Cricket Cage
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Paste OME
10-13.1 Mechanical Make-up - 1-piece - Paste OME
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - Tint - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - Tint - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - French tight - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - French tight - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - French tight - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - French tight - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece - Paris BM
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece
10-13.2 Mechanical Make-up - 2-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece - Glass OME
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece - Glass OME
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece - Pewter face
10-13.3 Mechanical Make-up - 3-piece - Pewter face
10-13.4 Mechanical Make-up - Openwork
10-13.4 Mechanical Make-up - Openwork
10-13.4 Mechanical Make-up - Openwork - Paste OME
10-13.4 Mechanical Make-up - Openwork - Paste OME
10-13.4 Mechanical Make-up - Openwork
10-13.4 Mechanical Make-up - Openwork
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle "CZECHOSLOVAKIA" BM
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle
"CZECHOSLOVAKIA" BM
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle Shiny yellow liner
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle
Shiny yellow liner
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle Border
10-13.5 Mechanical Make-up - Twinkle Border
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Synthetic polymer
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Synthetic polymer
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - celluloid
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - celluloid
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Fabric - Paris BM
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Fabric - Paris BM
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Porcelain
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Porcelain
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Gemstone - Turquoise
10-14 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Gemstone - Turquoise
10-14 Other Material Embellishment - Celluloid Border "D.R.G.M. 37652" BM
10-14 Other Material Embellishment - Celluloid Border "D.R.G.M. 37652" BM
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rhinestones/Pastes
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rhinestones/Pastes
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rhinestones/Pastes
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rhinestones/Pastes
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glass
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glass
10-14.1 OME - Black Glass with Green Glass Coronet & Paint DF
10-14.1 OME - Black Glass with Green Glass Coronet & Paint DF
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glass - Saphiret
10-14.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glass - Saphiret
10-14.1.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glass Pigeon Eye - Div I
10-14.1.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glass Pigeon Eye - Div I
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Steel
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Steel
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Steel
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Steel
10-14.2 OME - Brass with Steel and White metal border
10-14.2 OME - Brass with Steel and White metal border
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Steels and Enamel Plaquette
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Steels and Enamel Plaquette
10-14.2 OME - Bronze (on Sterling) - BM "Battersea 1995"
10-14.2 OME - Bronze (on Sterling) - BM "Battersea 1995"
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Pewter (Bright Cut)
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Pewter (Bright Cut)
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Pewter
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Pewter
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Shell
10-14.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Shell
10-15 Specific Types - Tintype
10-15 Specific Types - Tintype
10-15 Specific Types - Tintype
10-15 Specific Types - Tintype
10-15 Specific Types - Wire Filigree
10-15 Specific Types - Wire Filigree
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay (Bidri)
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay (Bidri)
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay - Damascene
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay - Damascene
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay Damascene/Russian
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay Damascene/Russian
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay - Shakudo
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay - Shakudo
True original shank
True original shank
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay - Fused
10-15.1 Specific Types - Inlay/Overlay - Fused

Acknowledgments: Thanks to Lou Yeargain, Barbara Barrans, Kevin Kinne, June Chapman, Gloria Badger, Jane Quimby, and Jane Perry who assisted in the development of this educational resource. They provided reviews, comments or other support including images or buttons for the examples shown. A special thanks to Joan Lindsay & Joy Journeay for their expert editing skills!


References:

(1) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines

(2) Hughes, Elizabeth and Marion Lester.  The Big Book of Buttons. St. Johann Press - 2010

(3) Warren K. Tice - Dating Buttons, A Chronology of Button Types, Makers, Retailers & Their Backmarks, 2003

(4) Click here for descriptions of select metals for this category.

Back to Button Materials

* Metal Buttons Worksheet in Excel