Buttons

[SARGE]

Different veteran organizations had distinctive uniform buttons. There are a surprising variety of buttons out there.

 

Here are two types of Union Civil War veteran organization buttons for the Grand Army of the Republic. The first button is the standard GAR uniform coat button with the entwined letters GAR that make up a monogram. This is the large coat button but there was also a smaller button worn on coat cuffs, vests, and kepis. These monogram buttons are rimmed buttons made in the general style of CW Staff & Field Officer buttons.

 

 

Here is a different style of GAR button that is a small kepi button. It is a lined button with simple block GAR letters. This particular button is quite early before the adoption of the entwined GAR monogram buttons.

 

 

Any other GAR buttons out there?

[SARGE]

Here is an example of the standard United Confederate Veterans (UCV) button. This is a large coat button, but they will also be found in smaller size for cuffs, vests, kepis, etc. The Staff & Field style button has a central motif of the Confedrate battle flag and the flag is surrounded by the letters "UCV" and the Civil War dates of "1861-1865."

 

[SARGE]

This is an example of the American Legion Veteran's uniform button. It has a central star device and a blue enamel surround highlighting the association name. This particular button is the large uniform button but they will also be found in a smaller size.

 

 

Anyone with buttons to show?

[SARGE]

This is a button from the Sons of Union Veterans organization. The SUV took over the flags and property of the Grand Army of the Republic CW veterans organization when the last Union Civil War GAR Veteran died. The SUV became the official (legal) successor organization to the GAR.

 

The button shows the figures of a sailor and a soldier shaking hands in comradship and fraternity.

 

[frederick]

Sarge,

 

Enjoyed your photos of vet group buttons. Have not seen the Confederate button before your photo. Tried to acquire vet buttons over the years. Have some--missing many. Attaching photos of some I do have.

 

Frederick

[SARGE]

Frederick,

 

Thanks for showing your buttons.

 

I have never seen some of yours. The silver Sons of Veterans and the Army and Navy Union are two I have not seen before.

[S.ChrisKelly]

See post#90 in:

"US Military Uniform Buttons Interesting Facts"/topic "Uniform Buttons" for more images of SCV and UCV buttons.

[SARGE]

Thanks for the links.  Buttons can be a collecting area all on their own.