In his fascinating talk to 33 members Neil McShane, who addressed our Autumn meeting, explained there are over 460 hunts in the British Isles and I think he hopes to collect buttons from each of them.

He brought along a selection of hunt buttons representing packs of foxhounds, harriers, mink hounds and bassets. His quest becomes more complex in that very often each hunt has two types of button; one for the field and one for the dress coat. The Master, Huntsman and the Whippers In show the buttons on their uniform, but hunt buttons are only awarded to subscribers by the Master. There is yet a different button for ladies, often made of vulcanite.

Neil also brought along a red coat, with five 22mm buttons on the front worn by the Huntsman and we could clearly see the worn material where the hunting horn is carried between the top two buttons. In the small of the back, the two buttons were in past times used to hold the frock coat tails. The two cuff buttons are 16mm. The dress buttons are usually 2 piece, often of silver but now usually made of brass.

The letter on the button usually indicates the name of the hunt, but beware, in Neil's early collecting days he purchased a button reading PLH, only to find if referred to the Park Lane Hotel. The backmark will enable collectors to date the button with the aid of pattern books produced by Firmins etc and especially by Baily's Directory.

Neil's invaluable book "Foxhunt Buttons" is a real treasure and available to The British Button Society members at a special rate of £25. Neil McShane, also a member, can be contacted on 01206 323188 or by email on neilmcshane@frogmeadow.co.uk

Angela Clark.