Aha! Why do you think they were manufactured by the Hudson's Bay Company? I don't see their mark. Also, what lead you to believe they are specifically for riflemen's tunics?
The reason I am being persnickety here is that this type of button is extremely common on 19th century sites all over the USA. I can't address the stamping as to manufacturer, but I have seen identical buttons, down to the inscription, from a sealed 1830s context in eastern Tennessee.
While it would be a nice mystery were these American uniform buttons, I'm afraid I'd interpret them as common English-made brass buttons of the ca.1790-1860 time period. I'd be happy to be proved wrong, however!
-Alan
C. Alan Longmire, RPA
TDOT Archaeologist II
3518 CRS
Johnson City, TN 37602-3518
office: (423) 282-0651 ext. 114
cell: (423) 773-1161
fax: (423) 854-5310
>>> Trevor Dunkerley <[log in to unmask]> 10/3/2007 10:07 AM >>>
For those 'across the pond' who were interested in these finds. You can now access a picture at the URL below.
Click on the 'XML' tab on the front screen, or from the 'Quick Link Site Map' on the first page and follow 'WHAT IS IT' pages.
Trevor
http://www.cmsmrps.org.uk - a community archaeology initiative.
|