^Lot 8 Rare Confederate Engineeer Button

Rare Confederate Engineer Two-Piece Convex Button, with script ''E'' on plain background, lightly gold washed, marked ''H T & B/*Manchester*'' on flat back with punchdot border. Mfg'd in England and smuggled thru the blockade. (See ''Uniform Buttons of the United States 1776-1865'', by Warren K. Tice, pages 229-230, CSE200A1.) Condition is excellent showing light discoloration to gold wash, with no dents or dings; silvered back shows some minor tarnishing. Stand-up shank is intact. A rare Civil War artifact that would be difficult to improve upon. Est.: $750-$1,000.