Air Force Buttons Appraisal

Vintage United States Air Force Uniform Buttons

A set of three vintage United States Air Force (USAF) uniform buttons, consisting of two larger pieces (approximately 1 inch in diameter) and one smaller piece (approximately 0.75 inches). These heraldic buttons feature the ‘Hap Arnold’ style design, showcasing a shield with a stylized thunderbolt beneath an eagle with wings outspread, topped by three small stars and flanked by a semi-circle of thirteen stars along the perimeter. The construction appears to be a two-piece metallic design with a silver-tone finish on a textured circular field. The buttons exhibit a heavy, dark patina and oxidation consistent with silver plating over a base metal, typical of mid-20th-century military issue. Notable areas of wear include green surface corrosion (verdigris) visible on the lower portion of the largest button's shield and significant tarnishing across the recessed areas of the strike. The raised elements show moderate smoothening, suggesting authentic age and previous use on a service uniform. Based on the iconography and metal aging, these buttons likely date from the late 1940s to the 1960s. The level of detail in the casting, specifically the feathers of the eagle and the points of the stars, indicates standard military-grade craftsmanship of the era.