Accurate Reproduction for Discerning Reenactors, Collectors, and Museums

This is a high-quality reproduction of the Confederate Infantry button issued under the renowned Peter Tait contract during the final years of the American Civil War. Originally manufactured in Limerick, Ireland, by Peter Tait & Co., these buttons were part of a large consignment of British-made uniforms and equipment smuggled through the Union blockade and issued to Confederate forces in 1864–1865.

This specific button design—featuring the raised block "I" for Infantry on a smooth field—is documented in Tice’s Uniform Buttons of the United States and was only known to have been produced in the 19mm size, making it distinctive among Confederate buttons.

A surviving example of this button is found on an original Peter Tait contract jacket preserved in the collection at Belvoir, the Jefferson Davis estate in Mississippi—a rare and invaluable reference for Confederate material culture. Our reproduction was modeled directly after an original button acquired from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg in 2024.

Features:

• Design: Raised block “I” (Infantry) on a smooth domed field

• Material: Solid brass with gilt finish.

• Backmark: Accurate reproduction of the original stamped “P. Tait Limerick” backmark

• Shank: Features the distinctive “floating shank”—a unique characteristic of Tait contract buttons

• Diameter: True to original at 19mm, standard for Confederate coat buttons

This long-awaited reproduction fills a significant gap for serious Civil War enthusiasts. Whether you’re a reenactor striving for authenticity, a collector of Confederate artifacts, or curating a museum-grade display, this button is a meticulously crafted piece worthy of attention.

Please note: This is a reproduction, not an original antique, and is intended for historical interpretation, uniform completion, or educational purposes—including living history programs and museum exhibits.

Shipping:
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