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 No's 41-60-
43rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 244- ​
Image Source: Private
​Notes: ​An early issue to the 43rd that was replaced for other ranks by a version showing the number within a laurel wreath.
​​​Description: 43 engraved within roped rim. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1770-c1790 ​
45th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 308- ​
Image Source: Malcom Duff
​Notes: ​An officers issue to the 43rd (Nottinghamshire) Regt of Foot. This style did not change much for a considerable length of time from c1820 right through until 1881.
​​​Description: 45 under crown within French scroll. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: NUTTING LONDON ;
​Date​: c1820-1881 ​
48th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 336- ​
Image Source: Ben
​Notes: ​An usual example dating to the period after 1781 when county titles were bestowed and before c 1790 when many took the title off their buttons. The example maintains the twisted bar used on later 48th but unusally carries the county name above.
​​​Description: 48 under NORTHAMPTONSHIRE on twisted bar. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy 24mm; Backmark​: Unreadable ;
​Date​: c1782-c1790 ​
59th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 360- ​
Image Source: Will Helms
​Notes: ​An example not often illustrated without the plain inner circle, that follows on from REF 547 above a find from Germany.
​​​Description: 59 under crown. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1790-c1810 ​
41st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 511- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 41st Regt of Foot were the 41st Regt of Invalids from 1751-1787, the 41st Regt of Foot 1787-1831,then became the Welch Regt of Infantry from 1831-38, the 41st Welch Regt 1838-52, The Welch 1852-62 and the 41st Welsh Regt of Foot 1862-81 .
​​​Description: 41 within eight pointed star. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19mm​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: JONES DUBLIN;
​Date​: c1790-1813 ​
41st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 512- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 41st Regt of Foot were the 41st Regt of Invalids from 1751-1787, the 41st Regt of Foot 1787-1831,then became the Welch Regt of Infantry from 1831-38, the 41st Welch Regt 1838-52, The Welch 1852-62 and the 41st Welsh Regt of Foot 1862-81 .
​​​Description: 41 under crowned eight pointed star with plain cross in the middle. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 17mm​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: B&W RIDGE ARMY CLOTHIERS CHICHESTER;
​Date​: c1813-1831 ​
42nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 513- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 42nd Regt of Foot were the 42nd Royal Highland Regt of Foot from 1758-1861 when they then became The 42nd Royal Highland (Black Watch) Reg of Foot.
​​​Description: 42 within the Order of Thistle design. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 20mm​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: J SAYER WINCHESTER;
​Date​: c1800-1820 ​
42nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 514- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A senior NCOs silver plated design to the 42nd Regt of Foot were the 42nd Royal Highland Regt of Foot from 1758-1861 when they then became The 42nd Royal Highland (Black Watch) Reg of Foot.
​​​Description: 42 on plain button. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 18mm​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: P & S FIRMIN;
​Date​: c1820-1855 ​
43rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 515- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 43rd which was the Monmouthshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1803 and then Light Infantry from 1803-81.
​​​Description: 43 within crowned lined garter. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & WESTALL ;
​Date​: c1790-c1810 ​
43rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 516- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A later officers pattern that came in from 1803 onwards, to the 43rd when the unit became The Monmouthshire Light Infantry.
​​​Description: 43 within crowned & stringed bugle. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 17mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: C JENNENS LONDON ;
​Date​: c1820-1830 ​
43rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 517- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The later other ranks pattern that stayed in use until 1871.
​​​Description: 43 within laurel wreath. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: HERBERT LONDON ;
​Date​: c1820-c1856 ​
44th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 518- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 44th was the East Essex Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 44 under crown with continuous leaf design and EAST ESSEX below. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: None ;
​Date​: c1782-1794 ​
44th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 519- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 44th was the East Essex Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 44 under crown with continuous leaf design. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 16mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: Possibly reads NUTTING ;
​Date​: c1794-1800 ​
44th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 520- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​This design was used by officers and oher ranks until 1881 & 1871 respectively. The 44th was the East Essex Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 44 under crown. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: Possibly reads NUTTING;
​Date​: c1800-1820 ​
45th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 521- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 45th was was the Nottinghamshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1866 when they became Nottinghamshire Sherwood Foresters.
​​​Description: 45 under crown within French scroll. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & SONS;
​Date​: c1820-1830 ​
46th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 522- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 46th was was the South Devonshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 46 on plain button. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 18mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: S.F;
​Date​: c1776-1790 ​
47th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 523- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 47th was was the Lancashire Regt of Foot from 1782-1881. This design was worn by officers as well between 1800-1818 but pewter other ranks examples can be much earlier.
​​​Description: 47 surmonted by crown and lion. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 24mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: NUTTING & SON COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1776-1816 (BM dates this particular example to 1803-16) ​
47th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 524- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 47th was was the Lancashire Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 47 within 'half moon' style edge design. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 25mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: NUTTING & SON COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1770-1816 (BM dates this example to 1803-16) ​
48th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 525- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An exceptionally rare example example that was found in Antigua where the Regt was having previously been in America. The 48th was was the Northamptonshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 48 within double incised floral design. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: S.F;
​Date​: 1778-1784 ​
48th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 526- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A follow on design from No 336 above that remained widely is use until 1881. The 48th was was the Northamptonshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1881.
​​​Description: Crowned 48 over twisted bar. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: I NUTTING COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1790-1803 (Based on BM for this example) ​
49th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 527- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The thistle was used in honour of the Regts Colonel, Sir Alexander Maitland's Scottish origin. The 49th was was the Hertfordshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1816, when it gained the Princess Charlotte of Wales's title.
​​​Description: Crowned 49 within sprays of thistle. ​
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: S. FIRMIN STRAND;
​Date​: c1790-1795 ​
49th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 528- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 49th was was the Hertfordshire Regt of Foot from 1782-1816, when it gained the Princess Charlotte of Wales's title.
​​​Description: Crowned 49 within circle reading P CHARLOTTE OF WALES in union wreath
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 18.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, gilt; Backmark​: PoW crest over S (Smith of Birmingham);
​Date​: c1816-1820 ​
50th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 529- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The 50th was the West Kent Regt of Foot from 1782-1827, then the Duke of clarence's between 1827-31 and then the Queens Own 1831-81.
​​​Description: Crowned 50, lion atop within ring and semi-circle design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 18.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark​: I NUTTING KING STREET COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1790-1803 ​
50th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 530- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An usual other ranks example to the 50th which was the West Kent Regt of Foot from 1782-1827, then the Duke of clarence's between 1827-31 and then the Queens Own 1831-81.
​​​Description: Crowned 50, within serrated roped design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1790-1800 ​
51st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 531- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 51st which was simply the 51st Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then the 2nd Yorkshire, West Riding between 1782-1809, then Light Infantry (1809-21) and the Kings Own 1821-81.
​​​Description: 51 within French scroll.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 16.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1771-1780 ​
51st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 532- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Another officers example to the 51st which was simply the 51st Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then the 2nd Yorkshire, West Riding between 1782-1809, then Light Infantry (1809-21) and the Kings Own 1821-81.
​​​Description: 51 crowned within strap reading 2nd YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 20.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: I NUTTING COVENT GARDEN;
​Date​: c1790-1803 ​
51st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 533- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Another officers example to the 51st which was simply the 51st Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then the 2nd Yorkshire, West Riding between 1782-1809, then Light Infantry (1809-21) and the Kings Own 1821-81.
​​​Description: 51 crowned within oval lined wreath with MINDEN written below.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 14mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: C JENNENS LONDON (No Pow crest so 1803-08);
​Date​: 1801-1830 ​
52nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 534- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An exceptionally rare officers example to the 52nd which was simply the 52nd Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Oxfordshire between 1782-1803, then Oxfordshire Light Infantry (1803-81).
​​​Description: 52 crowned within eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1780-1790 ​
52nd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 535- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 52nd which was simply the 52nd Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Oxfordshire between 1782-1803, then Oxfordshire Light Infantry (1803-81).
​​​Description: 52 crowned within wreath with OXFORDSHIRE written below.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 19.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & LANGDALE (1815-21);
​Date​: C1800-1830 (Pattern in use) ​
53rd Regt of Foot
Ref No: 536- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An excavated from Antigua officers example to the 52nd who were in the West Indies from 1780-1800, Another example displays the full word REGIMENT. Known as the 53rd Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Shropshire between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 53 within circle reading SHROPSHIRE REGT on eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 25mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1780-1800 ​
54h Regt of Foot
Ref No: 537- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A pattern worn by other ranks in pewter and officers in silver. Known as the 54th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then West Norfolk between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 54 under WEST NORFOLK over wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 16mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: I McGOWAN KING ST SOHO LONDON;
​Date​: c1782-1800 ​
54th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 538- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A pattern worn by other ranks in pewter and officers in silver. Known as the 54th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then West Norfolk between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 54 under crown within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 21mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: FIRMIN & WESTHALL STRAND (1800-11);
​Date​: c1800-1830 (design in use) ​
55th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 539- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​A very rare officers pattern to the 55th who were known as the 55th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Westmoreland between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 55 within starburst design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1778-1780 ​
55th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 540- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers pattern to the 55th which was excavated in Antigua where the regiment was from 1778-1783, the design stayed in use until c1803, known as the 55th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Westmoreland between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: Raised 55 on chequered ground within raised octaganol design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: S.F;
​Date​: c1778-1783 ​
55th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 541- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An NCOs pattern to the 55th based on the above officers version. The design stayed in use until c1803, known as the 55th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Westmoreland between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: Raised 55 on within raised octaganol design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 14.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1778-1783 ​
55th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 542- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An Sergeants pattern to the 55th based, known as the 55th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Westmoreland between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 55 within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 19mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter on base metal; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1803-1845 ​
55th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 543- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Known as the 55th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Westmoreland between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: Raised 55 on chequered background within incised wreath on octagon.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper alloy gilt; Backmark​: FIRMINS 153 STRAND LONDON (1822-35);
​Date​: c1816-1845 ​
56th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 544- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The same design that was used on earlier bone backed buttons. Known as the 56th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then West Essex between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 56 within inward facing leaf design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 15.5mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper alloy silvered; Backmark​: MURPHY DUBLIN ;
​Date​: c1785-1800 ​
56th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 545- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​The same design is found with the BM including the PoW feathers which date then 1808-20. Known as the 56th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then West Essex between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: Crowned 56 within wreath.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper alloy silvered; Backmark​: C JENNENS LONDON (No PoW crest 1803-08)
​Date​: c1803-1820 ​
58th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 546- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An extremely rare example to the 58th, known as the 58th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Rutlandshire between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 58 with GIBRALTAR written on buckled strap on eight pointed star.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper alloy silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1785-1807 ​
59th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 547- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An unusual other ranks example to the 59th, known as the 59th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then 2nd Nottinghamshire between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 59 within sprays enclosed within outer rim floret design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 17mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1780-1790 ​
60th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 548- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An early other ranks example to the 60th, known as the 60th Royal American Regt of Foot from 1757-1815, then Royal American LI 1815-1824, before becoming Duke of York's Own Rifle Corps and then the KRRC 1830-81.
​​​Description: 60 within wreaths of leaves.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 25mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1775-1785 ​
60th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 549- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 60th, known as the 60th Royal American Regt of Foot from 1757-1815, then Royal American LI 1815-1824, before becoming Duke of York's Own Rifle Corps and then the KRRC 1830-81.
​​​Description: Crowned 60 within strap reading HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: None
​Date​: c1785-1800 ​
60th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 550- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​An officers example to the 3rd battalion of the 60th which was first raised in 1775 before being disbanded in 1783. Reformed in 1783 they became the 2nd Battn Light Infanty of the 60th in 1819.
​​​Description: Crowned 60 over numeral 3.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Flat 23mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark​: J.N (possibly Nuttings first marking)
​Date​: Either 1775-1783 or 1783-1819 ​
55th Regt of Foot
Ref No: 644- ​
Image Source: McDuff
​Notes: ​A other ranks first pattern to the 55th who were known as the 55th Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then Westmoreland between 1782-1881.
​​​Description: 55 within starburst design.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Slightly convex 15mm ​; ​
Metal: Pewter; Backmark​: None;
​Date​: c1770-1780 ​
51st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 760- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Another officers example to the 51st which was simply the 51st Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then the 2nd Yorkshire, West Riding between 1782-1809, then Light Infantry (1809-21) and the Kings Own 1821-81.
​​​Description: 51 within hunting bugle, crowned.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 14mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: JENNENS LONDON;
​Date​: c1830-1840 ​
51st Regt of Foot
Ref No: 761- ​
Image Source: DP
​Notes: ​Another officers example to the 51st which was simply the 51st Regt of Foot from 1757-1782, then the 2nd Yorkshire, West Riding between 1782-1809, then Light Infantry (1809-21) and the Kings Own 1821-81.
​​​Description: 51 within laurel wreah.
Category:​​​ Regular Army; ​
Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​
Metal: Copper Alloy gilt; Backmark​: JENNENS & COLONDON;
​Date​: c1840-1856 ​