>
 
The British

Button Society
    Welcome Join us Events Speakers Articles Links Links
 
 

Button identification
 

This page is part of an on-going project to help button enthusiasts identify buttons.

We will add here images of buttons submitted for identification. The request will be forwarded to our panel of experts, and any viewer is invited to respond. Responses will be added to this page as appropriate.

Click on any small image below for a larger size if it is available.

You are welcome to submit new images for identification, and comments on any of the images below, to BBS member Jenny.
  Image Request Replies
18
From Shirley 10.06.08:

Here is a scan of a button that I think is from my Grandfather's WW1 uniform, that I found in my Mother’s button tin. The only thing I know, is he took ammunition to the front lines by horse drawn carts.
Is there any way you could identify this button? His military records were destroyed in London's bombing.
I have since gotten an E from my brother, who also has a button and some other things in a frame.

Here is his description. "There are two buttons that look like they are from Grandpa's shoulder or collar and they have a Wheel and Cannon on them.........they are both alike, also one that looks as if it was from his hat or helmet with a wheel and cannon on it.
There are also two medals or awards one with the War 1914-1919 on it and the other I can't read or understand what it says."
Would this give you any more clues about my Grandfather's military life?

I have sent an old photo of my Granddad, Edward Booth Smith from Ilkeston, Derbyshire England.
Thanks so much for any help you can give me. It will be very appreciated.
Sincerely,
Shirley, Auburn, Indiana USA

 
17
From Carol 03.06.08:
I wonder if you can help me please, I'm trying to identify what I think is probably a military button.
It has Sherlock & C, Covent Garden on the reverse and a dog (pointer/hound type) on the front sitting amongst what look like bullrushes. I found this button in Lincolnshire so the bullrushes are apt!
It's 25mm across and is a silver colour.
Thanks
Regards
Carol
 
16 From Robyn of the Victorian Button Collectors Club in Australia 19.04.08:

I recently purchased a set of military buttons which I believe might be Norfolk Yeomanry, however I am not sure my identification is correct, and would appreciate your help.
The buttons are made of brass which is gilded, they measure 2.3 cm across, and were manufactured by J.R. Gaunt & Son, London. The design on the flat front is incised, with Edward VII's crown above interlaced letters N Y. The buttons are in excellent original condition.

 
15
From Stuart 17.04.08:
I would be very grateful if you could confirm the identity of the buttons in the attachment. I have dated the maker Jennings to around 1910 from the address.
 
14
From Barry Norris: I found this button in the garden of an old house which was built in 1742, and is still in occupation.
I think it may be a livery button but I’m not sure of this.
I’m afraid it is rather deteriorated as you may see from the photos, the design on the front
seems to be of a hand (left hand?) holding a single plant stem at the top of which there is three
flower blooms. On the rear of the button around the rim edge there is some text which reads 33 ALDGATE
 
13

6th May 08

Are you able to help us identify this button for us? I think the letters spell C L C. It mat be relevant to the area (Merseyside) or from anywhere as we have a few other finds from all over the country.

It was found during an exploration of a Victorian Hall here in Merseyside.
The button was found near the site and could be from any era of course.

Please take a look at our web site.
Dave Roberts, Friends of Court Hey Park

From Rex:
This is a railway button, the initials
representing "Cheshire Lines Committee". In 1867, a number of smaller lines were taken over by a joint committee of three larger railways, the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, the Great Northern Railway, and the Midland Railway. The committee retained its identity under these three companies, and their successors, until nationalisation of the railways in 1948.

This pattern button was worn by the majority of the CLC's uniformed staff, senior uniformed staff wearing buttons of a different design.

As the enquirer surmised, the button was found in the appropriate area.

12

From Mary-Jane:

Button found in Ashford, Kent. Across the top the motto reads NIL ADMIRARI the man has a spear in his right hand and a shield in the left, there is a chain from his right shoulder to his left hip. The back reads PITT & CO 50 ST MARTINS LANE LONDON.

Is a cadet branch of Johnson, (deanery, Co. Durham) - Dixon

The livery is family of Johnson - the Northumberland/Durham branch - Ian

11

From Kirsten

Rubber button. Is this of British manufacture?

 
10

From Kirsten

Pewter, backmarked H.D.H & Co. Superior
 
9

From Kirsten

Button known as both silvered and gilded.

 
8

From Kirsten

Papier mache 5/8” diameter. Impressed design filled with gilt.

The papier mache one is the Royal Yacht Squadron - Ian

Royal Yacht Squadron (the Y is on the upright of the anchor) - Dixon

7

From Kirsten

Silver washed copper 7/8” diameter. Backmarked *I&B PEARSE* LONDON. between two concentric circles; the outer circle is raised dots, the inner circle is a raised line.
 
6



22nd April 08
Posted from Jamie. This button has a banner over it with a Latin inscription.
The motto is Pace et Bello Paratus, which translates as “in peace and war prepared” it is the motto of Fraser of Auchnagairn.
Jenny
5a
20th April 08
Hi Jenny

I hope you are well!

It must be nearly a couple of years since we were last in contact, but I remember how you kindly helped me with identification of some buttons that I found and I was hoping that you may be able to post these examples on your website for comment.

The first example I believe says around the rim – ‘Loyalty, Liberty, Property’ (I think) HV could stand for Hertfordshire Volunteers? The maker is C.Jennens London.

HV button: Holmsdale Volunteers, a large battalion of volunteer infantry in Kent, 1803-08. The motto Liberty Loyalty Property was almost exclusive to that county, and appears on a lot of the buttons and appointments of the yeomanry and infantry units. c1794-1815. - Dixon
5b

This is a livery button which appears to have been pierced to be worn on a necklace perhaps. Not sure what is represented on the front I thought either a thistle or a pineapple?

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Tom

 

Hi Jenny - Possibility that the pineapple is either Apperley of Morben, Montgomeryshire or Parkins of Nottinghamshire. Where the buttons were found could get a more positive answer. Ian

4
20th April 08
I am a metal detectorist and recently found an example of a livery button. This one shows a running Boar and is gold colour gilded. Normally we find silver plated examples. This one was found in the grounds of a Queen Anne style manor house...I belive it probably dates to around 1820-1870. However the button is in quite good condition for a metal detecting find. This had lead to a bit of a mystery though as quuite clearly the manufacturers name and origin can be made out: It is EDWARD BALL.......BIRMINGHAM. Now I can find no reference to this manufacturer and was wondering if your expertise could shed any further light on who he was, where he operated from (ie street number) etc. I write for Treasure Hunting magazine most months and will of course mention any sources of assistance in this button's identification.

Thank you for contacting the BBS.
The crest could be Fitzgerald.
I am forwarding your query to our members who may be able to help you.
Thank you for the acknowledgement of the BBS.
Jenny

I don't think its FitzGerald although very similar - I feel its a possibility of being Fillingham - which is listed in Fairburns Crests exactly as shown passant - not statant as FitzGerald and without a given motto . There are a lot of variations on a theme with this crest so I wouldn't bet a million on being correct
Regards Ian

3 7th April 08
The society has received an enquiry about this button. It was found some years ago, is pewter, diameter 3cm, 2mm thick at the rim, and the edge folds to grip the cloth. Does anyone know anything about this button - age, who may have worn it, what the design represents?
Very interesting -but I don't think its a button - I think it may be a seal - As it has a little Greek cross at the top I thought it may have been a Canton of Switzerland (the cross has been used on Swiss flags & banners since the 14th century but the letter in Gothic does not compute. Other than this I think Rex may be right and it will remain for ever a mystery (Scratching at the back of my mind is a pilgrims seal)
Regards Ian

Hi Jenny, Re the Blenheim find. It is not a button but is almost certainly a seal for a bag or wallet, and most likely the emblem is that of the not too distant Bloxham Abbey (pre Reformation). Dixon

2
5th April 08

Am taking another chance.
This button is in excellent condition and possibly some Royal Court or Household button.
The crown is new to me and the cypher is either Kiii or LRiii.
The make is British: FIRMIN & SONS LTD LONDON.
Thanks and regards,
Denis
Court button of King Kamehameha lll of Hawaii
Reigned in the l840's - Ian
1

1st April
Submitted by Martin.

 

The button is one of many of a similar design, only the letters have changed. This particular one is British Transport Docks.

You can find the following combination of letters on those Lifebuoy buttons as follows
BTD British Transport Docks
BTW British Transport Waterways
BWB British Waterways Board
D & I W Docks & Inland Waterways
D & I W E Docks & Inland Waterways Executive

You find them in Brass, Chrome & Black Horn and they date from the 1950's onwards
There are later patterns having just a logo for the British Transport Docks Board and no letters
Regards Ian


The button was worn by uniformed staff of the British Transport Docks Board. The BTDB dates from 1962, following the Transport Act 1962, its predecessor being the Docks & Inland Waterways Executive, one of the nationalised bodies formed as a result of the Transport Act 1947. The BTDB became Associated British Ports in 1983. ABP is de-nationalised now, of course.
The button is an interesting piece of British social history in the second half of the twentieth century, though not scarce.
Regards,
Rex

  ...

  
Comments from users of the page

Wow !! I'm impressed. The button belongs to a guy at work who found it and asked me to investigate it. Odd things often come my way to be identified, will be keeping your web page handy as I'm likely to need it again
Many thanks for your help, Mary-Jane

I would like to say what a useful web site you have. Dave


         
 
 
E-mail us
page hits
Copyright Eric Foxley
Larger
font
Updated 14-Jun-2008
Click here for a new button identification page

Click here for button images by Jenny & Eric
Smaller
font