Confederate Manuscript Infantry two piece button as listed in Albert�'s Book on U.S. Military buttons, CS-175A-2. It has a clear �"�● Halfman and Taylor Montgomery �●" depressed mark backmark with a perfect upright shank, 95% gilt remaining on its face. The button's face shows very fine detail,with virtually no wear. All of the horizontal lines inside the I and the flourishes around the I are crisp and well defined. The button has no damage or flaws.

This is an excellent example of an imported button as used by the South early in the Civil War. As the Union naval blockade gradually took effect, the availability of these European buttons diminished and use of the crude local manufactured buttons became more prevalent.