Two items: an original brass button as worn on many pre-war Federal naval uniforms, approximately .75″ in diameter, featuring a spreadwinged eagle facing to its right with a lined spade shield under its left wing and stamped backmark, “Treble Gilt, Standard Colour,” classified as ‘NA 62-G’ in A. H. Albert’s reference volume; and a Civil War or Indian War–era hardtack cracker, measuring 2.75 x 2.75 x .25, with ink notations reading “A. Michenor, Company…6th Regm, Pa. Vols.” In overall very good to fine condition, with flaking to the top of the hardtack affecting portions of the notations and a diagonal crack through the center. Prepared with flour and water, hardtack were commonly given to soldiers for food since they lasted a long time and were inexpensive; they were also very difficult to break or bite, thus the name. The exact date and nature of this piece are unknown but most likely Civil War or Indian War period, for which surplus hardtack from the Civil War was used.
