This is a beautiful button! It is an original coat size uniform button of the 1st Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia Infantry. This is the pattern that is listed as figure MS41 in Albert's button book and as MS214A1 in Tice's button book. The face of the button has the hunting horn design that denotes infantry with the "1" in the center for the 1st regiment. Above that it has the "M.V. M." lettering in fancy old English letters. The face of the button still retains a fine amount of the original gold gilding. In Tice's button book he states that these buttons were ordered in 1854. He also notes that this regiment saw Civil War service as the 42nd Massachusetts Infantry. The back is intact as is the original shank. You can clearly read the maker's mark of R.&W. Robinson. This is a great looking button all the way around.
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