BUTTON MANUFACTURE 555 



flexible shank. Fig. 272 shows, in section and back view, the form of a button pro- 

 duced by the dies. 



Buttons thus formed are now ready to receive flexible shanks ; and if the buttons 

 are to have plain smooth front surfaces, then, in fixing the flexible shanks, the samo 

 kind of under die, B, may be used ; but if the front surface of the button is to be em- 

 bossed or ornamented, then, in place of that die, a similar one, having engraved or suit- 

 ably ornamented surfaces, is to be used. When fixing the shanks to buttons, the lower 

 or face die, containing the previously formed buttons, is to be heated till a drop of 

 water will nearly boil upon it. 



The shank is applied as follows : a metal shell or collet a (see fig. 273) is placed 

 over the flexible shank b, and a plate of metal c is laid under the shank ; these are 

 placed in the groove or recess of the button, which had been previously heated in the 

 lower die ; the upper die A (fig. 274) is then to be placed on the lower die B, and the 

 two submitted to pressure, until they become cool, when the shank will be firmly at- 

 tached, as shown at fig. 275, and the bottom may be finished in the usual way. 



The second part of the invention, which relates to a mode of ornamenting horn 

 buttons, by cnlaying the front surface thereof, is performed in a manner similar to 

 what has been above described, for fixing flexible shanks, and consists in first form- 

 ing the front face or surface of a button, in suitable dies, for providing a recess ; and 

 then, by a second-pressure in dies, to fix the ornamental surface ; and, when desired, 

 the surrounding front surface of the button may be embossed. Fig. 276 is a longi- 

 tudinal section of a pair of dies, for forming a recess in the face of a button. Fig. 

 277 shows, in front view and section, a horn button produced by these dies. Fig. 278 

 shows a metal ornament, to be inlaid or fixed in the front surface of the button, but 

 it should bo stated that the ornamenting surface, to be fixed in the front surface of the 

 button, may be of pearl or other material ; and the size and device varied according 

 to taste. Fig. 279 shows in section a pair of dies, for giving the second pressure 

 for affixing the ornamental surface ; and, if desired, the remaining front surface of 

 the button may bo ornamented, by having the lower die engraved, or otherwise suit- 

 ably ornamented. Fig. 280 shows in front view and section a button made according 

 to this part of the invention. 



The third part of the invention relates to a mode of ornamenting horn buttons, by 

 gilding or silvering their surfaces. This is effected by applying a suitable cementing 

 or adhesive material with a soft brush tr the button, in order that gold- or silver-leaf 

 may be attached to its surface. The cementing or adhesive material preferred to be 

 used is dressing varnish rendered sufficiently liquid by essence of turpentine ; and 

 when the varnish is nearly dry, gold- or silver-leaf is applied thereto, and pressed in 

 the same manner as practised when gilding and silvering other surfaces ; by thus 

 treating horn buttons a very novel manufacture of that description of buttons may be 

 produced. 



The fourth part of this invention relates to the construction of dies used in the 

 manufacture of horn buttons. Fig. 281 is a section of a die, constructed according to 

 this part of the invention ; and fig. 282 is a section showing the die without the bound- 

 ing circles, which confine the patterns ;/ is the die engraved at the parts g g ; around 

 each of which engraved surfaces are circular grooves or recesses to receive the bounding 

 circles h h, which fit accurately. By the after-insertion of these circles, the workman 

 is not confined to move his graver within the bounding line, as that line is not present 

 when engraving the plate ; and the graver may pass beyond, and the grooves and the 

 bounding circles may readily be made with great accuracy to each of the engraved 

 surfaces. 



The fifth part of the invention also relates to a mode of constructing dies for the 

 manufacture of horn buttons, and consists in forming the dies so that the bounding 

 circle shall bo a sufficient depth for the counter die to slide within it, and fit accu- 

 rately in order that the circumference of each button shall be smoothly and accurately 

 formed. Fig. 283 represents in section two dies, and one counter die, made according 

 to this part of the invention ; fig. 284 shows one of the dies in plan and section ; and 

 fig. 285 a plan and section of a counter die suitable for flexible shank buttons, h h 

 are the dies, having the engraved surfaces i i on separate circular discs of metal, such 

 as have heretofore been used ; j is a counter die, and Jc a tube within which the 

 counter die is held, the object of this tube being to guide the projecting edges II of 

 the dies as shown, and thus keep the dies and counter dyes correct to each other. Fig. 

 286 is a section of two dies k, and a counter die.;' ; but in this case the tube k is dis- 

 pensed with, the dies being deeper sunk, and thus guiding the counter die correctly. 

 By the use of these dies, the edges of horn buttons will be more, accurately formed, and 

 consequently require less finishing. This description of dies may be made according 

 to the mode described in the fourth part of this invention ; that is, by forming the 

 boundary circle separately, as will be understood by referring to fig. 287, which is a 



