Very early “US” pewter button from Fort Johnston, NC (SOLD)

This is an original excavated uniform coat button from 1810 – 1830. This is the version with the block style letters "US" on the face. It is made of pewter and measures 19mm – the back still has the stand-up shank remaining. This is the general service button from the War of 1812 through the 1830s. It was recovered near the Fort Johnston site by Southport, NC.

Southport was founded as the town of Smithville in 1792 and was adjacent to Fort Johnston, NC. The town was named after Benjamin Smith, a colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later governor of North Carolina. Smithville grew as a fishing village and by supporting military activity. In an effort to promote the town as a major shipping port, Smithville was renamed Southport in 1887.

This button remains in very nice condition, and it is just as it came out of the ground. It could possibly be cleaned up a little better, but the “US” is clear. It is a great early button.