Section 9 - Horn
Page 1 of 1
The purpose of this section is to provide examples of horn buttons as defined in the NBS Classification Guide1 (Blue
Book)
including one or more examples of each type in the listings and an example
that covers each term in the definitions. Horn buttons are made of keratin
which is a naturally occurring form of thermoplastic material. The major
sources of keratin for most buttons are 1) horns of cattle and other horned
animals; 2) hooves of cattle and horses; and 3) the shells of tortoises.
Buttons made of antlers belong with bone buttons. Passing your mouse over the button
image will turn the button over so both sides may be seen. In some cases,
more than one example of a type is shown. Scanning and photographing
buttons have distinct limitations in the areas of perspective, color, details, and dimensions. Thus, many buttons do not reveal
their true character and appearance in the photos or scans. When uncertainty exists, ask a fellow club member or a dealer to show you
an actual example of the button in question.
A worksheet for horn buttons has been provided and can be printed or
downloaded with the link at the bottom of this page.
| Hover your mouse over the button images below to see the back of the button | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 9-1.1 Processed - Molded (1-1/2") |
 9-1.1 "Buffalo" horn - Veneer (5/8") |
 9-1.2 Tortoise - Silver Inlay (7/8") |
 9-1.2 Tortoise - Realistic Shape (3-1/4") |
 9-2 Unprocessed (1") |
 9-3 Back Type - Pin Shank Bone Inlay (1-1/8") |
 9-3 Back Type - Pin Shank (3/8") |
 9-4 Decorative Finish (DF) Wax Resist Finish - Dyed (1") |
 9-4 DF - Iridescent Finish BM (1/2") |
 9-4 DF - Metallic Luster (3/4") |
 9-4 DF - Dyed - Molded (7/8") |
 9-4 DF - Dyed - Paris BM (1-1/8") |
 9-4 DF - Paint - BM (1") |
 9-5 Mechanical - Repoussè Horn Back (1-1/8") |
 9-5 Mechanical Makeup Five Piece (1-3/4") |
 9-5 Laminate - Wood on Horn Realistic (3-5/8") |
 9-5.1 Mechanical - Inset - VI Paste OME (11/16") |
 9-5.1 Mechanical - Inlay MOP (1-7/8") |
 9-5.1 Mechanical - Inset Pearl - "Buffalo" (3/4") |
 9-5.1 Mechanical - Inset - Brass (1-1/8") |
 9-5.1 Mechanical - Inset Wood (1-1/8") |
 9-5.2 Mechanical - Veneer MOP (11/16") |
 9-5.2 Mechanical - Veneer Composition (1-1/8") |
 9-5.2 Mechanical - Veneer Wood (1-3/16") |
 9-5.2 Tortoise - Veneer Brass - Silver - MOP Inlay (3/4") |
 9-6 OME - Fabric - Velvet (1-3/8") |
 9-6 OME - Bone Realistic (1") |
 9-6 OME - Ivory-Brass-Pearl Veneer (1-1/8") |
 9-6 OME - Glass - Steels (1-5/8") |
 9-6 OME - MOP-Wood Whistle (5/8") |
 9-6 OME - Pastes (1-3/8") |
 9-6 OME - Enamel Plaquette (3/4") |
 9-6.1 OME - Escutcheon Brass & Faceted Steels (1-3/4") |
 9-6.1 OME - Silver Rose (7/8") |
 9-6.1 OME - Metal Rim (7/8") |
 9-6.1 OME - Brass - Steel BM (11/16") |
 9-6.1 OME - Brass Head (1") |
 9-6.1 OME - Steel Mirror - BM (11/16") |
 9-7 Shape - Contour Ball (1/2") |
 9-7 Shape - Linear (1-1/4") |
 9-7 Shape - Linear (1") |
 9-8 Pierced - Silver OME (2") |
 9-8.1 Turned/Lathed - Unprocessed Whistle - (1-1/4") |
 9-8.1 Carved - Realistic Mask (1") |
 9-8.1 Carved (1-3/8") |
 9-8.1 Carved - 2 Piece Contour (1-3/8") |
 9-8.2 Impression Inlay - Pearl-Metal (1-1/4") |
 9-8.2 Impression Inlay - Celluloid (1") |
 9-8.2 Impression Inlay - Shell BM (1-1/16") |
 9-8.2 Impression Inlay - Metal - Pearl (1-1/8") |
 9-8.2 Impression Inlay - Celluloid/Pearl (7/8") |
 9-8.2 Impression Inlay - Piqué point (15/16") |
 9-8.3 Molded Surface Design (1-3/8") |
 9-8.3 Molded - "Blond" (1-1/2") |
 9-8.3 Molded Surface Design - Dyed (1-1/8") |
 9-8.3 Molded Surface Design - BM (1-1/8") |
 9-9 Tortoise Background (1-3/8") |
 9-9 Mounted on Metal - Silver Inlay (3/4") |
 9-9 Horn Mounted in Metal (1-1/4") |
 British Uniform Button Belongs in Division II |
 Card of Division II British Uniform Buttons. These belong in Div II. (See how shank is molded into horn body) |
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Acknowledgments: Thanks to Louella Yeargain and Barbara Barrans for collaborating in the update of this section and for contributing many of the button images shown above. Potential labeling issues or suggested improvements should be directed to the Button Country team at Contact Us. References: (1) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines (2) Hughes, Elizabeth and Marion Lester. The Big Book of Buttons. St Johann Press - 2010 |
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