Important American Rattlesnake Button- Rev Revolutionary War;Silver gilt;SC


Important American Rattlesnake Button- Rev Revolutionary War;Silver gilt;SC

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Important American Rattlesnake Button- Rev Revolutionary War;Silver gilt;SC:
$3250.00


For your consideration is an incredibly rare example of an American Rattlesnake button from the Revolutionary War with all silver gild intact. This button does not appear in Don Troiani and James L. Kochan\'s Insignia of Independence, however; this button does appear on the website www.historicalimagebank.com that is maintained/managed by Don Troiani: . Historical Image Bank states: \"RWb7- American rattlesnake stars and stripes button imported from France.\" The button is in solid condition and the eye shank remains strong (please see photos-additional post-dug photos available upon request). This artifact was dug at the site of the home of Brigadier General William Augustine Washington (2nd cousin of President George Washington) near Charleston SC. William Washington (Feb 28, 1752 to Mar 6, 1810) was an officer of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The button was purchased directly from the finder in SC and has never been made available for public sale. I have never seen another, in any condition, offered for sale.
Page 259 in Insignia ofIndependencegives a wonderful description of these symbols of the War for Independence: \"These very interesting buttons may be military or political. Most have been found in company with American Revolutionary War Buttons...\"

Even before the Revolution, the rattlesnake was a popular symbol of the American cause. Rattlesnakes are native to North America; they don’t attack unless provoked (they give a warning before attacking even then); and although an individual rattle might not be heard, acting together, the rattles can be heard by all. In 1754 Benjamin Franklin’sPennsylvania Gazetteprinted the Join, or Die Flag with the segmented rattlesnake. It was printed to remind delegates at the Albany Congress of the importance of unity among the colonies in light of the impending war with France (French & Indian War). By 1774 the snake was usually shown whole and the motto had become, \"United Now Alive and Free Firm on this Basis Liberty Shall Stand and Thus Supported Ever Bless Our Land Till Time Becomes Eternity.\" One example of the united snake was the Culpepper Flag, which was probably based on a design that had been created to protest the Stamp Act called “Rebellious Stripes.” It was one of the first Flags used by the American Navy. This Flag (or a variation of it) was flown on American ships throughout the Revolution. The Gadsden Flag is a variation of the Don’t Tread on Me Flag. Its field was bright yellow. Designed by Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina, it was first used in February 1776 by Commander Esek Hopkins, Commander in Chief of the new Continental fleet. The snake motif was also commonly used on the mastheads of Colonial newspapers.

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Important American Rattlesnake Button- Rev Revolutionary War;Silver gilt;SC:
$3250.00

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