BUTTONS
BRITISH MILITARY
The largest database of early British Military Buttons
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​​​3rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 241- ​
​Image Source: Malcolm Duff
​Notes: Believed to be the first pattern to The 3rd Regt of Foot this recently found Thames find button dates from around 1770-1782.
​​​Description:3 within inner lined ring
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat; ​
Metal: Pewter. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: c1770-c1782
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.
​
This is not aimed to be definitive but does now represent a very good selection of pre 1855 Regular Infantry 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 Numbers 1-20
6th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 243- ​
Image Source: Private
​Notes: ​This button is likely to date from circa 1786 until around 1814 as an example has been found in Nova Scotia where the regiment was in 1786 and also two in Spain where they served in the Peninsula Wars from 1809 until 1814.
​​​Description: 6 over rope pattern within stylised incised outer rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1786-c1814 ​
​Notes: ​This style was worn by Senior NCOs c1770-1790. They are all flat TWO piece and either gilded copper or plated depending on the lace of the regiment. Similar examples are known to the 40th (ex Antigua) and 25th (Sussex) Regiments and the South Hants Militia.
​​​Description: 10 within rope pattern incised outer rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilded; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1770-c1790 ​
​​​10th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 301- ​
​Image Source: Wayne Rougoor
15th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 302- ​
Image Source: Wayne Rougoor
​Notes: ​The 15th Regt of Foot were at this time were the 15th (York East Riding) Regt of Foot. The style in silver with the Roman XV is the officers pattern and dates to circa 1810.
​​​Description: XV within eight pointed star. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1810 ​
8th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 303- ​
Image Source: PTD
​Notes: ​An usual Nova Scotia find to the 8th in that it does not have the Hanover horse of the known variety. Interestingly the 2nd Battalion were in Nova Scotia 1810-13 and thus it is possible that as a new raising they did feel 'qualified' to use the 'honour' but this is not a confirmed theory at this point.
​​​Description: Crowned 8 within HONI SON MAL Y PENSE leged. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: NUTTING LONDON ;
​Date​: c1800-c1815 ​
​​​3rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 359- ​
​Image Source: Will Helms
​Notes: A find from Germany where the regt boarded in 1794 so likely to date from around that date.
​​​Description:3 within outer roped ring
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 19mm; ​
Metal: Pewter. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: c1780-c1800
​Notes: ​A superb officers example to the 13th when the inital 1 appears like a J. This early style was not previously known to the 13th but has been suspected was in use as the design does appear on early belt plates to the Regt.
​​​Description: 13 within rope pattern incised outer rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat ​; ​
Metal: Silver bone bacKed; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1770-c1783 ​
​​​13th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 373- ​
​Image Source: Luke
20th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 379- ​
Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database
​Notes: ​An NCOs example being plated to the shortlived 2nd/20th Regt of Foot.
​​​Description: 20 within wreath with out lined rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 24mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: 1799-1803 ​
​​​1st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 435- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: This is the design used on the first officers bone backed buttons to the 1st also known as the Royal Regt.
​​​Description:1 within lined rings
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm open backed ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt. ​​Backmark:John Williams;
​Date: c1795-c1805
​​​1st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 436- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: A silver plated version that would be issued to senior NCO's.
​​​Description Crowned thistle with latin motto above scroll reading ROYALS
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm open backed ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated. ​​Backmark:I NUTTING & SON KING ST COVENT GARDEN;
​Date: c1803-1820
​​​1st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 437- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: An officers version in gilt with changed scroll title to 'THE ROYAL'.
​​​Description:Crowned thistle with latin motto above scroll reading THE ROYAL
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 21mm open backed ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: c1810-c1820
​​​1st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 438- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: An officers version in gilt with the changed scroll title to 'THE ROYAL' but with letters now free standing.
​​​Description:Crowned thistle with latin motto above scroll reading THE ROYAL
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Deeply convex 20mm; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: c1810-c1820
​​​1st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 439- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: The Royal Scots title was added around 1812 until around 1821 when it was dropped again, it was not introduced back again until 1871.
​​​Description:Crowned GR script over I and words ROYAL SCOTS
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Deeply convex 18mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered. ​​Backmark:C JENNENS LONDON;
​Date: 1821-1830
​​​1st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 440- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: Dated to the reign of William IV this specific example ca be placed between 1834-37 by the back mark.
​​​Description:Crowned WR script over I and words ROYAL SCOTS
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Deeply convex 20mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt. ​​Backmark:JENNENS & CO LONDON;
​Date: 1830-1837
​​​2nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 441- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: A fine bone backed example of the earliest style known.
​​​Description:Central 2 within leaf design with lamb at bottom
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: 1770-c1780
​​​2nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 442- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: A nice early example of a design that would remain in use for other ranks until 1874.
​​​Description:Crowned 2
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 16mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered. ​​Backmark:Now unreadable;
​Date: c1780-c1790
​​​2nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 443- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: An other ranks pewter example that may well exist in silver plate for officer use.
​​​Description:Crowned 2 within floret design
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 16mm ; ​
Metal: Pewter. ​​Backmark:I NUTTING KING ST COVENT GRDEN;
​Date: c1790-c1800
​​​3rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 444- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: An fine silver plated officers example.
​​​Description:3 under dragon and motto around upper rim
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 25mm; ​
Metal: Silver plated. ​​Backmark:S FIRMIN STRAND;
​Date: c1780-c1795
​​​4th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 445- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: Its not clear exactly when this style was introduced but it was prior to 1785.
​​​Description:IV within border of inward facing leaves
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 15mm; ​
Metal: Silver plated. ​​Backmark:S FIRMIN STRAND;
​Date: c1785-c1795
​​​4th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 446- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: The word 'Infantry' is used on this early design and the IV is inide the garter, later the legend becomes 'Regiment'.
​​​Description:Lion on ground over IV with legend KINGS OWN INFANTRY around.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ; ​
Metal: Silver plated. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: c1790-c1800
​​​4th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 447- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: A small example for use on the collar lace panels thus dating it as above.
​​​Description:IV over 'floating' lion surmounted by crown.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 11mm ; ​
Metal: Silver plated. ​​Backmark:None;
​Date: c1797-1808
​​​4th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 448- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: Note the numeral now outside the garter and the legend has changed to 'Regiment'.
​​​Description:Standing lion with KINGS OWN REGIMENT in garter with IV below.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 24mm ; ​
Metal: Silver plated. ​​Backmark:FIRMIN & WESTALL STRAND ;
​Date: 1794-1811
​​​5th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 449- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: An early design to the 5th in pewter for other ranks use.
​​​Description:Plain Roman V within leaf border.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ; ​
Metal: Pewter. ​​Backmark:None ;
​Date: 1778-1790
​​​5th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 450- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: The range of dates on his example relate to the fact that its no clear if his was only issued to the 1st battalion or following bestowal of territorial titles to the 2nd battalion.
​​​Description:V within garter reading NORTHUMBERLAND REG crowned.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 24mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated. ​​Backmark:None ;
​Date: 1783-1790 0r 1799-1804
​​​5th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 452- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: The back mark helps us date this example relatively accurately.
​​​Description:V within eight pointed star.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated. ​​Backmark:FIRMIN & WESTALL ;
​Date: c1794-1811
​​​5th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 451- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: An unusual example found in Antigua which as part of the West Indies is where the regiment was based from 1819-1826.
​​​Description:V within wreath.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 19.5mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated. ​​Backmark:FIRMIN & CO LONDON ;
​Date: c1812-1815
​​​5th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 453- ​
​Image Source: DP
​Notes: The precise date range of this style is unclear but it appears to have fallen out of use by 1830.
​​​Description:V within eight pointed star and wreath.
Category: Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 20mm ; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy. ​​Backmark: C. JENNENS LONDON ;
​Date: c1815-c1820
6th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 454- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The antelope was used by the 6th (Warwickshire) for many years, the early examples such as this the antelope does not wear a collar or chain.
​​​Description: Antelope over 6 within garter with motto surmounted by crown . ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark​: LEWIS INKSON LONDON ;
​Date​: c1810-c1820 ​
7th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 455- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A little known example that could be mess waiters issue, in which case date range is lIkley to be 1790-1810 or to the 2nd battalion 1795-96 and again 1804-15.
​​​Description: VII on cross within garter and eight pointed star. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 27mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark​: J. EGINTON BIRMINGHAM ;
​Date​: c1790-c1815 ​
7th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 456- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Whilst this example dates to the age range suggested above, this design may have come into use as early as 1820.
​​​Description: 7 on rose within crowned garter. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 24mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: DOUGHTY & CO ST MARTINS LANE LONDON ;
​Date​: c1840-c1856 ​
9th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 457- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A finely raised design that with an early back mark makes the early date above likely to be accurate.
​​​Description: 9 under crown within inner line. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated; Backmark​: NUTTING LONDON;
​Date​: c1790-c1800 ​
9th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 458- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​This attractive design continued on later convex and gilt versions .
​​​Description: 9 under crown within ring or points or arrows. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated; Backmark​: W&R SMITH BIRMINGHAM (with PoW);
​Date​: c1800-c1815 ​
10th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 459- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Around 1820 this design was replaced by a new design that featured the Roman numeral X instead.
​​​Description: 10 within circle of dots. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated; Backmark​: CHARLES JENNENS LONDON (with PoW);
​Date​: c1800-1820 ​
11th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 460- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​This design did not alter much until 1881, the only major change being the use of the numbers 11 and the word 'regiment' exchanged for 'North Devon'.
​​​Description: XI with REGIMENT in garter on crowned eight pointed star. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slight convex 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: I NUTTING & SON KING STREET COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1803-1820 ​
12th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 461- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The design for he 12th changed little until 1881.
​​​Description: 12 crowned within wreath. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: FIRMIN & WESTALL STRAND;
​Date​: c1790-1810 ​
13th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 462- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: This design stayed in use for different periods between other ranks and officers before the design below became the standard for both.​
​​​Description: 13 within sharp pointed eight pointed star. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 24mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark​: I NUTTING COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1790-1800 ​
13th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 463- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: This design was replaced in 1842 by one containing the legend 'Prince Albert's Lt Infantry'..​
​​​Description: 13 within eight pointed star with EGYPT & MARTINIQUE around. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: DOUGHTY & CO ST MARTINS LANE;
​Date​: 1830-1842 ​
14th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 464- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: The 14th was the Bedfordshire Regt of Foot until 1809 when it changed to the Buckinghamshire. This design style remained in use until 1838.​
​​​Description: 14 within French scroll. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: I NUTTING COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1790-1800 ​
16th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 465- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: The 16th was the Buckinghamshire Regt of Foot from 1782 until it changed in 1809 to Bedfordshire. This design style.​
​​​Description: 14 within double suround of leave outline. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: S.F (Samuel Firmin);
​Date​: c1770-1785 ​
17th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 466- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: A pewter other ranks issue to one of the first known patterns to the 17th.​
​​​Description: 17 within roped outer design. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 26mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: 1770-1780 ​
17th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 467- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: An earlier but similar design to the later laurel wreath style.​
​​​Description: Crowned 17 within wreath type design. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: Lloyd & Ridley (Ireland);
​Date​: c1790-1800 ​
17th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 468- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: This design would form the basis of the later gilded versions to the Regt that would remain in use until 1881.​
​​​Description: Crowned 17 within laureal wreath. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: S. FIRMIN STRAND;
​Date​: c1800 ​
18th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 469- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: The outer design on this pattern of the Royal Irish is often said to be shamrock edged when in fact its a floret design.​
​​​Description: Crowned Irish harp design over 18 within floret surround. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: CHARLES JENNENS LONDON (No PoW);
​Date​: 1803-1808 ​
19th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 470- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: A finely raised early design to the 19th (1st York, North Riding) Regt of Foot.​
​​​Description: XIX within eight pointed star with YORK NTH RIDING REGT on garter. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 25mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: FIRMIN STRAND;
​Date​: 1782-1796 ​
19th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 471- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: This design was largely retained albeit without the dot and with a crown added on the post 1820 examples.​
​​​Description: 19 within French scroll and dot above. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: 1796-1820 ​
20th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 472- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: The design for the 20th did not change much and the earlier style of this button does not have the crown and also has a beaded rim. The MS & ID maker on this one refers to Mark Sanders & John Deakin.​
​​​Description: Crowned XX within spray of leaves. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: Best Quality MS & ID;
​Date​: 1800-1820 ​
7th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 647- ​
Image Source: Button Decting finds FB group
​Notes: ​A design used by various units on their shell jackets from 1830-70 issue.
​​​Description: Crowned 7 within plain ring. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: HERBERT & CO LONDON ;
​Date​: c1830-c1870 ​
9th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 764- ​
Image Source: S. Gilmore
​Notes: ​The other ranks design for the 9th (The East Norfolk) Regt of Foot.
​​​Description: IX within French scroll with dot. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c18000-c1820 ​