Here is an original excavated coat size Civil War era Dragoon button. The dragoon branch of service was a group of mounted soldiers that were a very well equipped force that was designed to strike fast
and hard like shock force troopers. The face of the button has the spread-wing eagle with the "D" shield on its chest. The face still retains a fine amount of the original gold gilding down in the protected areas with the rest of the button being a beautiful maroon patina. This "D" denotes the dragoon branch of service. The face of the button has very nice detail remaining. The original back and shank are intact. It has the correct early "WM. H. SMITH & CO NEW -YORK" retailer's mark on the back that is clearly visible. This backmark is one of the tougher ones to find on this design of button. In Albert's button book it is listed as DR4 and in Tice's button book as DR215a35. The verbal history that accompanied the button is that it was recovered recently in Mobile, Alabama. This is a great looking Civil War 22mm uniform button.