Signal Corps Coat Size SG3A - Indian Wars US Army Button circa 1885-1893

Description

For sale is one non dug, coat size (23 mm), three-piece, post Civil War / Indian Wars US Army Signal Corps button.
Albert writes that Congress created the Signal Corps in 1860 and made it its own branch of the Army in 1863.  He notes that Signal Corps buttons were apparently not created until 1885, when the first known order exists for officers buttons of this design; the first order for enlisted men, also for buttons of this type, was in 1889.  This design was in use until all branches of the Army excepting the Corps of Engineers adopted the Great Seal button in 1902.  All Signal Corps buttons are desirable and hard to find.
With 39 stars encircling and the depressed-mark backmark ". HORSTMANN BROS & C
O
. / PHIL
A
" this button is listed as Albert's SG3A.  McGuinn and Bazelon picture this backmark and date its use to 1870-1893; therefore this example likely dates to the 1885-1893 period.
This example is in very good condition with some minor discolorations on the front (below the right flag and at the base of the left flag staff), a bent shank (see side image) and no pushes.  Due to some flaring on the scanner, we added a camera photo of the front of the button for comparison.
For shipping, we use well-padded boxes, typically ship same- or next-day, and always combine costs on multiple lots (plus USPS insurance over 0).