How to Date Cufflinks?

Everybody here should (if they don't already) own and wear cufflinks, and most cufflinks out there are vintage, but how does one go about at dating them? I personally don't care about age (I get my duds for pennies at flea markets), but I'm not really a fan of those that have the wrap-around mesh from the later 1960s, the 1970s and the 1980s and the ones (vintage or modern) that are larger than my cuff. The majority in my area are the smaller ones that I think are from the mid-1950s to the 1960s, occasionally those that are obviously from the 1930s and earlier that are curved and have a circular swivel. I also see some with square swivels, round swivels, and flat, somewhat sharp, swivels, but do these help with dating them or are they just marks of the respective brands?

-Quetzal

The only easy way I can think of is by looking at the hallmark, but that only works for British goods...

I would think some of the older cufflinks may be easier to date then even more recent vintage. But even then, to get something close to when some vintage cufflinks were made, may be just a "best guess" at times. I have purchased a lot of vintage cufflinks for my Husband, and I normally will ask the seller of the cufflinks what history may go with the cufflinks. I am not sure but I do know the different types of cuff link fasteners have changed over time, knowing some information about that may be a good starting point.

Older links tend to be chain-links, don't they? Not swivel-bar ones. Or they're the two-piece design, which come apart in the middle and snap together.

I have a pair of 9kt gold links I bought at a flea-market. I was told they were Edwardian. I have a few other old links (none of them full gold, though) which were all said to be from the 1910s & 20s/30s.

Shangas said:

Older links tend to be chain-links, don't they? Not swivel-bar ones. Or they're the two-piece design, which come apart in the middle and snap together.

I have a pair of 9kt gold links I bought at a flea-market. I was told they were Edwardian. I have a few other old links (none of them full gold, though) which were all said to be from the 1910s & 20s/30s.

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I agree the older ones being connected by links, or chain. The ones with swivels however, some of the style of the swivel itself has changed over time. Perhaps seeking out information regarding these changes, and of course then also the "wrap" type of cufflinks, could help aide in dating?

This is exactly how I've tried to date mine, generally with the swivels. If I knew how to post pictures, I would show you the shapes that I THINK may help. LuvMyMan, the "wrap" ones are from the later 1960s and the 1970s I think, as my Grandfather had several of these and purchased the majority of his clothing in that period (but, thank goodness, none of the hideous stuff). The ones with little chains probably came from pre-1950s men's evening wear jewelry (the original tuxedo/tailcoat studs and actual links made to fasten boiled-front/starched shirts), separated from the studs.