Vtg. WWII U.S. NAVY EAGLE FACING LEFT LARGE Military UNIFORM BUTTON~Gilt~

~Vintage Navy Gilt Uniform Button: Eagle Facing Left~ Large Size Measures 7/8" Diameter Vintage Navy Eagle button in very good condition: The Eagle faces Left, which dates it Pre-May 14, 1941 when the eagles direction changed. A 2-Piece button with border & circle of rope. The eagle rests on a horizontal anchor, 3 cannon balls below, with 13 stars encircling.The shank is firmly intact. A fine example to complement your collection. The design of US Navy Officer’s buttons prior to WWII, in use from 1852 until 1941, was an eagle facing left standing on a horizontal anchor. On May 14, 1941 the Navy ordered that the head of the eagle face its right side. “The shift of the eagle's aspect to right-facing from left-facing is logical from the perspective of heraldic tradition, since the right side (dexter) is the honor side of the shield and the left side (sinester) indicates dishonor or illegitimacy.”