Back Types  (Section 23-3)
 Shanks and other means of Attachment   

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Back type glossary  Glossary PDF Version

Celluloids
Ceramics
China
Enamel
Fabric
Black Glass
Clear/Colored Glass
Glass In/On Metal
Horn
Metals
Shell
SynPoly
Vegetable Ivory
Wood
Other Materials
Animals
Objects
Plants
Other Pictorials
Patterns
Backgrounds
Back Marks
Back Types
Construction Types
Shapes
Realistics
Studios
Eighteenth Century
Usage (Non-Military)
Uniform
Division IV		 Discussion - The following are visual examples of back types including shanks and other means of attachment. Each example represents one of back types listed in the glossary which can be accessed with links just above (one a browser based table and the other a downloadable/printable version). The examples are shown in the categories of (1) ceramic and china, (2) black and clear and colored Glass, (3) metal and glass mounted in metal, (4) fabric, (5) other materials, (6) synthetic polymers, and (7) back types not specifically defined. To avoid excessive duplication, all possible back types are not shown in each material section. The red numbers in parenthesis identify the specific glossary definition being demonstrated. See the glossary table for an explanation of the source documents for all listed types and the material section where each type is demonstrated.
 
Back Types for Fabric Buttons

Applied  (4)
Realistic
Canvas  (9)
Cased  (11)
Cone  (15) (42)
self shank

Darned  (16)
Replaces gut/cord on 18th cent. woodbacks

Gathered  (22)
Loop  (29)
on gathered Passementerie

Loop  (29)
Shank made of cord & beads 

Pad    (32)
Treat same as canvas

Plastic Back  (36) (4)
Also is applied
Plastic Back  (36) (43)
Sew-through
Ring   (39)
Hand sewn ring may have been added

Staple  (46)
Thread back  (51)
Stevengraph

5-1 Worked   (60)
Dorset Ring

Worked  (60)

Worked Threads  (61)
18th century Passementerie
Worked Threads  (61)
18th century Passementerie

Wound  (62)

  
Back Types for Other Materials (except modern synthetic polymers)

Applied   (4)
"U" Type - Celluloid  

Bird cage  (5)
Horn

Bridge  (8)
VI

Box  (6)
4 way swaged in shell

Box  (6)
4 way - Wood

Cone   (15)
with metal loop shank
Cone  (15) (42)
Self shank - Celluloid tight top
Hump  (25)
Leather

Loop  (29) 
Horn Veneer
Loop  (29)
Leather - shank is leather

Pad Back  (32)
Shell

Pad Back   (32)
VI

Pin  (35)
Shell - Colonial type
Pin  (35)
Shell Brass Escutcheon
Pin  (35)
VI - Birmingham Trade
Pin  (35)
Threaded Loop - Shell with OME

Plate and Loop  (37) (29)
Leather
Self - Cone Shape  (42)
Wood
Self - Turret Shape (42)
Wood
Sew-through - Whistle (43) (56)
Processed Horn

Sew-through - Whistle  (43) (56)
Wood
Sew-through - 4 hole hidden  (43)
VI
Sew-through - 5 hole  (43)
Bone

Sew-through - 6 hole  (43)
Shell

Split and Swaged  (45) (48)
Shell with enamel plaque
Staple  (46)
Wood
Swaged  (48)
Shell - Glass
Thread back  (51)
VI

Tunnel  (53)
VI
Turret   (54) (21)
VI - Metal cylinder - 4 way		    

Modern Synthetic Polymer Back Types
Synthetic polymer button shanks fall into the 4 categories of self, applied, inserted and sew-through. The further breakdown of shank shapes is covered in the NBS Synthetic Polymer Handbook with 24 examples. Click on the following button to see the handbook chart of shanks.
Synthetic Polymer Shanks Chart

Other Back Types Not Specifically Described in Blue Book


Clutchette
Consensus opinion - this is not a button
Glass Shank
Glass in Metal with glass shank
Pitch back
Might be make-up

Plate with shank

Rivet
Half of rivet. Rivet deforms under bar
Solder Shank in Shell
Fills hole made for swaged plate		    
Back Types Page 1