BUTTONS
BRITISH MILITARY
The largest database of early British Military Buttons
Contact us by email: britishmilitarybuttons@gmail.com​
This is the newest section of this website that was originally outside of the sphere we set ourselves. However such are quality of some newly discovered regular units buttons that we have decided to record the lesser known or unrecorded types here.
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This is not aimed to be definitive but does now represent a very good selection of pre 1855 Regular units. If you find or have an early one not shown here please do send it in as there are many known types not recorded here and of course new ones are showing up all the time. Post 1855 tunic buttons are not recorded here as by that point issues were far more regulated and the excellent works by Howard Ripley cover them in more detail than we could ever hope to. For earlier items Major Parkyn's work remains the definitive but with the ever improving technology that means more are being found by metal detectorists every year, we hope he would appreciate our efforts to build upon and 'keep updated' his work.
Regiment of Foot Nos 61-80-
67th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 245- ​
Image Source: Private
​Notes: ​An early issue to the 67th.
​​​Description: 67 engraved within plain rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1800 ​
67th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 342- ​
Image Source: UK Detectornet
​Notes: ​A new find and believed to be an officers first issue to the 67th, its possible the larger version may have been wood or bone backed.
​​​Description: 67 engraved within plain rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex ​; ​
Metal: Silver sheet over copper alloy; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1770 ​
70th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 378- ​
Image Source: Doug B
​Notes: ​A very early pattern to the 70th which whilst already known is a little seen variant.
​​​Description: 70 under crown within single lined rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex ​; ​
Metal: Copper alloy gilded; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1770-c1785 ​
62nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 551- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example of a design used by both officers and other ranks, known as the 62nd Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then Wiltshire 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 62 within French scroll.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1790-1816 ​
62nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 552- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 62nd, known as the 62nd Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then Wiltshire 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 62 within strap reading PENINSULA crowned within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: CHARLES JENNENS LONDON (+PoW crest)
​Date​: c1820-1830 ​
63rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 553- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 63rd unusally with incised rather than raised numerals, known as the 63rd Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then West Suffolk 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 63 incised within eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: I McGOWAN GERRARD ST LONDON
​Date​: c1800-1820 ​
63rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 554- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An extremely rare example to the 63rd not being as per the long used design as above. Known as the 63rd Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then West Suffolk 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 63 under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 11mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: I NUTTING KING ST COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: c1785-1803 ​
64th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 555- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A rare officers example to the 64th who were known as the 64th Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then the 2nd Staffordshire 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 64 within eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 19.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: S.F
​Date​: c1780-1785 ​
64th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 556- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 64th who were known as the 64th Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then the 2nd Staffordshire 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 64 crowned within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: S.FIRMIN STRAND
​Date​: c1785-1800 ​
65th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 557- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An other ranks example to the 65th who were known as the 65th Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then the 2nd Yorkshire North Riding 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 65 within roped border.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 24mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1770-1780 ​
65th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 558- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 65th who were known as the 65th Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then the 2nd Yorkshire North Riding 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 65 crowned within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1780-1790 ​
66th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 559- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 66th who were known as the 66th Regt of Foot 1758-1782 and then Berkshire1782-1881.
​​​Description: 66 crowned with floret design above and BERKSHIRE below.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1782-1790 ​
66th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 560- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Presumably a senior NCO's example to the 66th who were known as the 66th Regt of Foot from1758-1782 and then Berkshire1782-1881.
​​​Description: 66 within roped border.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: I NUTTING KING STREET COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: c1803-1820 ​
66th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 561- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 66th who were known as the 66th Regt of Foot from1758-1782 and then Berkshire1782-1881.
​​​Description: 66 crowned within inner circle.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 17mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & CO LONDON
​Date​: c1800-1820 ​
67th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 562- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 67th who were known as the 67th (South Hampshire) Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 67 within inner strap reading HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: S FIRMIN STRAND
​Date​: c1790-1820 ​
68th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 563- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 68th who were known as the 68th (Durham) Regt of Foot from 1782-1808 and then Durham Light Infantry 1808-1881.
​​​Description: 68 crowned on bar within French scroll with dot at opening.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1790-1808 ​
68th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 564- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 68th from when they became Light Infantry the design was worn by both officers and other ranks and the cords can be found going into the crown or ied with a bow underneath.
​​​Description: 68 crowned within cords of Light Infantry bugle-horn.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Half ball 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: JONES & SON DUBLIN
​Date​: c1808-1820 ​
69th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 565- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 69th produced by an unusual maker. The 69th was the South Lancashire Regt of Foot between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 69 on chequered circle within eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: Z BUNNELL NEW ST
​Date​: c1790-1810 ​
70th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 566- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An other ranks example to the 70th which was the 70th Surrey Regt of Foot between 1782-1812, then Glasgow Lowland 1812-1825, and then Surrey again 1825-1881.
​​​Description: 70 under SURRY within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1782-1800 ​
70th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 567- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 70th which was the 70th Surrey Regt of Foot between 1782-1812, then Glasgow Lowland 1812-1825, and then Surrey again 1825-1881.
​​​Description: 70 on chequered circle within incised eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 16mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: I NUTTING KING ST COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: c1790-1810 ​
70th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 568- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A senior NCOs example to the 70th which was the 70th Surrey Regt of Foot between 1782-1812. This and the officers example above were both found in Antigua where the regiment was in 1794-95 & 1800-01.
​​​Description: 70 on chequered circle within incised eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: I NUTTING KING ST COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: c1790-1810 ​
71st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 570- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 71st of a design that was worn by the unit for a prolongd period after they became Light Infantry in 1810.
​​​Description: 71 within Light Infantry bugle-horn under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 16mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1811-1820 ​
71st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 569- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to a design worn by other ranks as well to the 71st which was the 71st Highland Regt of Foot between 1786-1808, then Glasgow Highland, then Light Infantry and finally Highland Light Infantry 1810-1881.
​​​Description: 71 under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & CO LONDON
​Date​: c1790-1810 ​
73rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 571- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 73rd which was the Highland Regt of Foot 1786-1809, with no county title between 1809-62, then Perthshire 1862-1881
​​​Description: 73 within thistle sprays under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 28mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1785-1796 ​
73rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 572- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 73rd of a design that was worn by other ranks in petwer as well. The 73rd was the Highland Regt of Foot 1786-1809, with no county title between 1809-62, then Perthshire 1862-1881
​​​Description: 73 within thistle spray and rose wreath under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 20.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: FIRMIN & WETSTALL STRAND
​Date​: c1797-1811 ​
74th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 573- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 74th which was the 74th Highland Regt of Foot 1786-1816, with no county title between 1816-45, then Highlanders 1845-1881
​​​Description: 74 under elephant within spray of grass under crown, ASSAYE above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: CHARLES JENNENS LONDON (with Pow crest)
​Date​: c1820-1834 ​
75th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 574- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 75th which was the 75th Highland Regt of Foot 1787-1809, with no county title between 1809-62, then Stirlingshire 1862-1881
​​​Description: 75 in thistle sprays under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: C JENNENS LONDON (with Pow crest)
​Date​: c1820-1834 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 575- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A very rare example to the 76th whilst it was either The McDonalds Highlanders from 1777-1784 when it was captured in the USA and returned, or a first pattern to newly raised 76th of 1787.
​​​Description: 76 in oval incised cartouche under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: Either 1777-1784 or-c1787-1790 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 576- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: 76 under crown.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & WETSALL STRAND
​Date​: c1787-1806 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 577- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: LXXVI under crowned elephant within wreath with HINDOOSTAN above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: NUTTING & SON KING ST COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: 1807-1816 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 578 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A lesser quality tinned Senior NCOs example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: LXXVI under crowned elephant within wreath with HINDOOSTAN above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 18mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter, tinned; Backmark​: None
​Date​: 1807-1816 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 579 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A pewter other ranks example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: LXXVI under crowned elephant within wreath with HINDOOSTAN above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: 1807-1816 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 581 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A senior NCO's example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: 76 under elephant with HINDOOSTAN PENINSULA above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN STRAND LONDON
​Date​: 1816-1830 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 582 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: LXXVI under crowned elephant with HINDOOSTAN PENINSULA above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: C JENNENS LONDON (wih PoW crest)
​Date​: 1816-1820 ​
76th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 580 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 76th who following REF 575 were 76th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, Hindoostan 1807-1812, and no county title 1812-1881.
​​​Description: LXXVI under crowned elephant with HINDOOSTAN PENINSULA above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: CHARLES JENNENS LONDON (with PoW crest)
​Date​: c1820-1830 ​
77th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 583 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 77th who were 77th Regt of Foot 1787-1807, and then East Middlesex 1807-1876, with added Duke of Cambridge's Own title from 1876-1881.
​​​Description: Crowned 77 within French scroll.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & WESTALL STRAND
​Date​: 1787-1809 ​
78th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 584 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An other ranks example to the 78th who were 78th Highlanders or Seaforth Highlanders 1778-1786, and then Ross-shire Buffs 1793-1881.
​​​Description: 78 within lined rim.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1793-1807 ​
78th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 585 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 78th who were 78th Highlanders or Seaforth Highlanders 1778-1786, and then Ross-shire Buffs 1793-1881.
​​​Description: Crowned 78 within plain circle.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: I NUTTING COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: c1793-1810 ​
78th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 586 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 78th who were 78th Highlanders or Seaforth Highlanders 1778-1786, and then Ross-shire Buffs 1793-1881.
​​​Description: Crowned elephant, 78 below with ASSAYE AND MAIDA above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 17mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: I McGOWAN LONDON
​Date​: 1807-1820 ​
79th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 587 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A rare example to the 79th who were the 79th Royal Liverpool Volunteers between 1778-1784, then Cameron Highlanders 1804-73 and Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders 1873-1881.
​​​Description: Liver bird standing on 79.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: None
​Date​: 1779-1784 ​
79th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 588 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 79th who were first the 79th Royal Liverpool Volunteers between 1778-1784, then Cameron Highlanders 1804-73 and Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders 1873-1881.
​​​Description: 79 enclosed within strap, crowned with CAMERONIAN VOLUNTEERS above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: T BILLING LONDON
​Date​: 1794-1804 ​
79th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 589 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 79th who were first the 79th Royal Liverpool Volunteers between 1778-1784, then Cameron Highlanders 1804-73 and Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders 1873-1881.
​​​Description: 79 enclosed in strap crowned with CAMERON VOLUNTEERS above.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: I McGOWAN GERRARD ST LONDON
​Date​: 1804-1820 ​
80th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 590 ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 80th who were first the 80th Royal Edinburgh Volunteers between 1778-1784, then Staffordshire Volunteers 1793-1881.
​​​Description: 80 under Staffs knot under crown within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 18mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: C JENNENS LONDON
​Date​: 1820-1830 ​
68th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 762- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A new example to the 68th which post dates 1803 due to the back mark and which eliminates some other possibilities that shared the number. Based in Kent in 1806 & 1808 where these were found adds weight to the date and unit attribution.
​​​Description: 68 within wreath sprigs and outer rims of beads and florets.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: NUTTING & SON KING ST COVENT GARDEN
​Date​: c1803-c1808 ​