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.
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Image |
Request |
Replies |
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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| 14 |

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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
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| 13 |
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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
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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.
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| 12 |
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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
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| 11 |
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From Kirsten
Rubber button. Is this of British manufacture? |
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| 10 |
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From Kirsten
Pewter, backmarked H.D.H & Co. Superior |
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| 9 |
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From Kirsten
Button known as both silvered and gilded.
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| 8 |
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From Kirsten
Papier mache 5/8” diameter. Impressed design filled
with gilt.
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The papier mache one is the Royal Yacht Squadron
- Ian
Royal Yacht Squadron (the Y is on the upright of the
anchor) - Dixon |
| 7 |
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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. |
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| 6 |

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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
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| 5a |
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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 |

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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
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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
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| 4 |
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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 |
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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?
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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
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| 2 |
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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
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Court button of King Kamehameha lll of Hawaii
Reigned in the l840's - Ian
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| 1 |
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1st April
Submitted by Martin.
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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 |
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