According to American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their Backmarks & Dates, by William F McGuinn and Bruce S. Bazelon, "The firm of Courtney, Tennent & Co., was located at 35 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC, between 1849-1865. William C. Courtney & Gilbert B. Tennent were importers & wholesale dealers in hardware, cutlery, guns, pistols, etc. During the Civil War, they imported military goods for the CS Navy including buttons, swords, etc. In 1865, Tennent withdrew from the firm & in late-1865, Courtney and his brother formed Courtney & Co. to carry on a cotton & commission business."