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​​​BV

Ref No: 016- ​

​Image Source: UK Detectornet

BV Button

​Notes: Found in South Devon, it is thus likely to be. 'Buckland, Brewer, Parkham and Milton Damerell' Vol. Infantry, the'Buckland Monarchorum' Volunteer Infantry in the 1803 Listings or the Broadhernbury Volunteers, forming part of the 'Devon Legion (East)'.There are also in the 'Devon Battalion' similar small units, 'Biddeford' 'Buckland Brewer' and 'Budleigh (East)'.

​​​Description:Letters BV below crown

Category: Volunteer unit; ​

Type of button: Flat; Metal: Copper Alloy.​​

Backmark:;

​Date: c1790-1820

To try and aid identification we have listed these buttons in pure and simple straight alphabetical order, as whilst the likelihood is that many starting with 'R' are 'Royal' titled, as they are currently unknown or at least unproven, means that listing them as they can be read is the most simple and practical way.

​

One of the ways that we can help to attribute unknowns is by find spot so if you have found any of the ones listed below or indeed any others, we would be interested to know to help us see if they can be allocated.

Unknowns-

SLV​

Ref No: 021- ​

​Image Source: UK Detectornet

​Notes: Almost certainly one of the South Sussex (Lewes) Rape units. There are though six different units in this heading named after villages and boroughs in the area. It may be that they all wore SLV and called themselves, although not formally, the Sussex Loyal Volunteers or South Lewes Volunteers

​​​Description: Monogrammed letters SLV under crown. ​

Category:​​​Local Volunteers; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered​ .; Backmark: I. Nutting King St Covent Garden ;

​Date: ​

SLV Button

S V​

Ref No: 022- ​

​Image Source: UK Detectornet

​Notes: 'S.V' beneath a Hart Lodged (county badge of Herts) is either Standon Volunteer Infantry a 1 Company unit dating to 1803-08/14 or Stortford Volunteer Infantry a 3 Company corps of the same period (Bishop Stortford to us now)

​​​Description: SV below stag ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy originally gilded .; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1820

SV Button

WV (Watford/Ware Volunteers)​

Ref No: 072- â€‹â€‹ ​

Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: The button has two possibilities. The most likely is the Ware unit, raised Sept 1803. By1807 they are shown to be part of 'Hoddesdon, Stanstead (as spelt) and Ware'. The other possibility is the 'Watford Volunteer Infantry', raised in Sept 1803 and still shown as such in the 1807 List.

​​​

Description: Herts Stag with WV either side ​ ​​

Category:​​ English Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat 22mm ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, gilded; Backmark​: None ;

​Date​: 1803-c1807 ​

WV Button

CV​

Ref No: 052- ​

Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: Found in Thetford it is likely to be from one of the Norfolk units. The Army Lists pre and post 1801 only show two possible 'C' units. Catton a 1 Company unit with an 1803 raising and Cromer pre 1801 and again in1803, although then shown as 'Cromer Battery'.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters CV encircled by wreath under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Volunteer Infantry​​; ​

Type of button: Convex 17mm ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy gilded; Backmark: I NUTTING & SON KING ST COVENT GARDEN

​Date​: c1800-1840 ​

CV Button

BVI​

Ref No: 051- ​

Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: ​This button relates to either one of the Cambridge or Suffolk units and there are quite a variety of initials, all with the same strap and crown. Now recorded are 'SVI' and 'CVI', and this 'BVI', there is also a 'GVI' known. They must be either individual Company buttons within one of the large Suffolk Battalions, or, and quite possibly individual College buttons to the Cambridge Univ units.

​​​

Description: 'For Our Country' around monogram BVI under crown ​

Category:​​​ English Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: TEL ;

​Date​: c1800 ​

BVI Button

S V​

Ref No: 118- ​

​Image Source: UK Detectornet

​Notes: Found in the Cheshire North Wales area as yet unidentified button

​​​Description: SV below crown ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy .; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1820

SV Button

LLV​

Ref No: 119- ​

Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: Found in the NW/Wales.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters LLV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Volunteer Infantry​​; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy gilded; Backmark:

​Date​: c1800-1840 ​

LLV Button

EYC​

Ref No: 136- ​

Image Source: Colchester Treasure Hunting Club

​Notes: As an Essex find he most probable candidate for this button is a first pattern for the Essex Yeomanry, although they are referred to as the East and West Essex in contemporary records. As there are other possibilities it is hoped other finds may confirm

​​​Description​: Monogram letters EYC under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Yeomanry Cavalry​​; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy gilded; Backmark:

​Date​: c1794-c1801 ​

Essex Yeomanry Cavalry

LBV​

Ref No: 138- ​

Image Source: Colchester Treasure Hunting Club

​Notes: LBV, could be almost any one of about 60 units. As an Essex find there are Baddow, Barfield, Barking (a large unit) and Burstead all c1803-1808 as none of them exist prior to 1801.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters LBV ​ ​​

Category​: English Infantry Militia​​; ​

Type of button: Domed ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark:

​Date​: c1803-1808​

LBV Button

​​​BM

Ref No: 139- ​

​Image Source: Colchester Treasure Hunting Club

BM Button

​​​Description:Letters BM below crown

Category: English Infantry Militia; ​

Type of button: Flat; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated.​​ Backmark:;

​Date: c1790-1820

​Notes: An unusual button that appears to be either another pattern for the Bedfordshire Militia, or the Barbadoes (as spelt then) Militia.​

GM​

Ref No: 140- ​

Image Source: Colchester Treasure Hunting Club

​Notes: The most likely candidate for this button with a reasonable degree of certainly is the Grenada Militia (W Indies)

​​​Description​: Monogram letters GM under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Infantry Militia; ​

Type of button: Convex, silver plated ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy silvered; Backmark:

​Date​: c1779-c1800 ​

Grenada Militia

EV​

Ref No: 152- ​

Image Source: Paul Dunmall

​Notes: A detecting find from near Evesham so possibly the Evesham Volunteers. The unit was in 1804 the 'Evesham & Pershore', however a year earlier they are shown as just 'Evesham'. By1807 the unit  has been dispersed all together, further evidence required to allow for a confirmed ID.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters EV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: English Infantry Militia​​; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy gilded; Backmark:

​Date​: c1804 ​

EV Button

Prince of Wales Feathers​

Ref No: 157- ​

Image Source: Paul Dunmall

​Notes: The button appears earlier than 1803; therefore a possibility is, 'The Princess of Wales's Regiment' of Fencible Cavalry 1794-1800 but this has not been possible to confirm yet.

​​​Description​: Prince of Wales feathers with thistle spray in centre. ​ ​​

Category​: Volunteer Infantry​​; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Pewter; Backmark None:

​Date​: c1794-1800 ​

LLV Button

1LY​

Ref No: 166- ​

Image Source: DP

​Notes: A local 'L' unit unlikely to be Leicestershire, whilst Lincolnshire and Lancashire remain possibles.

​​​Description​: 1LY incised on six pointed star. ​ ​​

Category​: Yeomanry Cavalry​​; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy gilded; Backmark: None

​Date​: c1794-1820

LLV Button

FSV​

Ref No: 186- ​

Image Source: UK Detectornet

​Notes: This button, a Somerset find, is likely to be 'FSV' and the only Somerset unit that fits the bill is 'Frome Selwood' Vol Inf which were raised in August 1803 as a 3 Company unit under the joint Captaincy of, William Sheppard, Henry Sheppard & John Olive.s)

​​​Description​: Monogram letters FSV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: English Infantry Militia; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark:

​Date​: 1803-c1816 ​

Frome Selwood Volunteers

FM​

Ref No: 200- ​

Image Source: Private

​Notes: This button, despite being a Cambs find, is likely to be a Scottish unit with candidates Flintshire (the least likely) Forfarshire and Fifeshire Militias as the only mainland candidates; Fermanagh is also a possibility.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters FM under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Infantry Militia; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Petwer; Backmark:

​Date​: c1770-1800​

Forfarshire and Fifeshire Militia

S ​

Ref No: 204- ​

​Image Source: Chris Buckland

​Notes: A Devon find that is likely to be a local company button serving with one of the larger Devon units, sadly the likely place name is worn away and unreadable but hopefully later finds may assist in getting a positive ID.

​​​Description: S below crown with unreadable place name above ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ​​20mm; ​

Metal:Pewter .; Backmark: None;

​Date: ​c1800-1820

S Button

S V​

Ref No: 205- ​

​Image Source: Private

​Notes: Found in Cambridgeshire an as yet unidentified button but likely to be from one of either, Soham Sutton, Stapleford or Swaffham

​​​Description: Stylised SV below crown ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Slightly Convex ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy .; Backmark: None;

​Date: ​c1800-1820

SV Button

S V​

Ref No: 206- ​

​Image Source: Private

​Notes: Found in Cambridgeshire an as yet unidentified button but likely to be from one of either, Soham Sutton, Stapleford or Swaffham.​

​​​Description: SV in centre of eight pointed star ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy, gilded; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1805-1820

SV Button

LCV​

Ref No: 211- ​

Image Source: Private

​Notes: A Cambridgeshire find that could be to Loyal Cambridge Volunteers ​​.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters LCV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: English Infantry Militia​​; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark:

​Date​: c1803-c1807​

LCV Button
WLV​
Ref No: 319- ​

​Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: Found in Wiltshire an as yet unidentified button but likely to be from one of either Wilton, Warminster or the West Wiltshire Vols.​

​​​Description: WLV monogram under crown. ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Slightly convex ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1800-c1820

WLV Button

SLV​

Ref No: 214- ​

​Image Source: Ken Bell

​Notes: As a Somerset find it is unlikely to relate to the unit above and thus at this point in time remains unattributed.

​​​Description: Monogrammed letters SLV under crown. ​

Category:​​​Local Volunteers; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy​.; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​

SLV Button

RV​

Ref No: 218- ​

Image Source: D.O.

​Notes: There are many possibilities for RV, this example was believed to have been found in Cheshire and defies positive ID at this time .

​​​Description: RV Monogram under crown​

​​Category:​​ Local Volunteer; ​

Type of button: ; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1794-1820 ​

RV Button

WV​

Ref No: 221- â€‹â€‹ ​

Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: A Berkshire find that geographically suggests two posibilities. 'Wantage' (then in Berks) is the most likely, another possible unit is the two company Winkfield Volunteers, both units date 1803-1808. It is hoped further local finds may lead to a positive future ID.​

​​​

Description: WV under crown within rope style rim ​ ​​

Category:​​ English Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Slightly convex 20mm ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark​: None ;

​Date​: 1803-c1807 ​

WV Button

DM​

Ref No: 240- ​

Image Source: Malcolm Duff

​Notes: A River Thames find that is believed to be one of three possibles. A possible other ranks issue to the Durham Militia that does not use the coronet, or a 1st Derbyshire Militia of 1803-05 or lastly the Demerara Militia (later British Guiana), where there were three 'regiments'.

​​​Description​: DM surrounded by wreath with possible letters ST at top and 1 or J below ​ ​​

Category​: English Infantry Militia​​; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated; Backmark:

​Date​: c1800-c1810 ​

EV Button

SLC​

Ref No: 259- ​

Image Source: Al Luckenbach.

​Notes: An unconfirmed button whose unit or even purpose at this point is unclear .

​​​Description: SLC within inner ring​

​​Category:​​ Unknown; ​

Type of button: Flat 15mm ; ​

Metal: Pewter. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1770-c1820 ​

SLC Button

V​

Ref No: 260- ​

​Image Source: Private

​Notes: It is unclear if these are a generic issue for Volunteers or to previously serving Volunteers in Spain who were known as Voluntarios​.​

​​​Description:V in circle within eight pointed star. ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Slightly convex ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1804-c1820

V Button

J L(?) 16​

Ref No: 261- ​

Image Source: Private

​Notes: It is highly likely this button is not actually military but whilst unknown it has been adeed to see if it can formally identified in the future and recorded appropriately.

​​​Description​: Appears to be JL over 16 ​ ​​

Category​: Unknown; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy; Backmark: None

​Date​: c1770-1820 ​

JL16 Button

NY​

Ref No: 069- ​

Image Source: UK Detector Finds Database

​Notes: There are two probabilities for this unknown. The 'Northumberland Yeomanry', 1798-1801 and not re-raised as such, two Troops were envisaged, the joint Captaincy is listed Matthew Bell and Ralph Henry Brandling. The other is a Cavalry Association, simply, 'Newcastle' c1798-1801, three officers listed Capt Thomas Burdon Lieut Edward Kentish and Cornet Robertson.

​​​Description: NY within two concentric circles​

​​Category:​​ Yeomanry Cavalry; ​

Type of button: Flat 21mm​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1798-1801 ​

NY Button

NVI (NM?)​

Ref No: 268- ​

Image Source: Al Luckenbach

​Notes: An interesting find but sadly with no find spot recorded it is at this point impossible to attribute, it is hoped additional finds being recorded may unravel the mystery.

​​​Description: NVI within decoration under crown​

​​Category:​​ Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat 15mm​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated. Backmark​: Unreadable;

​Date​: c1798-c1816 ​

NVI Button

​​​BV

Ref No: 285- ​

​Image Source: PAS Database Ref No. SUR-9D3387​

BV Button

​Notes: Differing from the other BV version by way of having Roman lettering the front runners for this are either the Banbury or Bicester Volunteer Infantry units. As it was found in Newbootle, which puts its closer to Banbury that is the strongest candidate and we hope other finds may allow a conclusive ID to be made.

​​​Description:Letters BV below crown

Category: Volunteer unit; ​

Type of button: Flat 15mm;

​Metal: Copper Alloy, sulver plated .​​Backmark:None;

​Date: c1794-c1816

PV​
Ref No: 295- ​

Image Source: Derek O.

​Notes: There are a number of possibilities for PV, this example defies positive ID at this time .

​​​Description: PV under crown​

​​Category:​​ Local Volunteer; ​

Type of button: Flat; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1794-1820 ​

PV Button
SI​
Ref No: 311- ​

Image Source: Maximuswarks.

​Notes: A Warwickshire find which cannot be positively identified although the Stanley (Stoneleigh) Infantry are favourites. Stratford Infantry is the other although far less likely possibility. Other recordings of this in the area may lead to a conclusive ID

​​​Description: SI under crown​

​​Category:​​ English Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat mm ; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy Gilded. Backmark​: ;

​Date​: c1794-c1820 ​

SLC Button
S V​
Ref No: 312- ​

​Image Source: Alloverover

​Notes: A second Cambridgeshire find to this design of an as yet unidentified button but geography of finds are pointing tentatively to Stapleford. It is hoped that subsequent finds may provide a definitive ID.

​​​Description: Stylised SV below crown ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy .; Backmark: None;

​Date: ​c1800-1820

SV Button

WLV​

Ref No: 212- ​

​Image Source: Private

​Notes: Found in Cambridgeshire an as yet unidentified button but likely to be from one of either Whittlesey or Wisbech.​

​​​Description: WLV monogram under crown. ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy, gilded; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1804-c1820

WLV Button
LV​
Ref No: 324- ​

Image Source: Via NN

​Notes: Found near Harrogate Yorks, the nearest Volunteer 'L' is Leeds but their button has a fleece above the letters so currently no positive ID has been attributed.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters LV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Volunteer Infantry​​; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy silveed; Backmark:

​Date​: c1800-1840 ​

LLV Button
TLV​
Ref No: 328- ​

​Image Source: DT

​Notes: Taunton surprisingly did not re raise a unit in 1803 as it had done previously (see ref 284) but it would appear likely that the Taunton Vols served as part of the larger Somerset unit and this find would suggest they wore their own buttons​.​

​​​Description:TLV under crown within incised outer ring. ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Slightly convex 19mm ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy, gilded; Backmark: FIRMIN & WESTALL STRAND;

​Date: ​c1794-c1812

Taunton Loyal Vols

​Notes: A find from Germany to a Scottish unit that is probably a new example tp either the Stirlingshire or Sutherland Local Militia.

​​​Description: Crowned SLM within thistle wreath

​​Category:​​ Local Militia; ​

Type of button: Slightly convex 20mm ; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy. Backmark​: T SHAW HEMMINGS ROW LONDON;

​Date​: 1808-1816 ​

SLM Button
SLM​
Ref No: 340- ​

Image Source: Will Helms.

​Notes: There are a number of possibilities for this Cornish find being Penryn Vol Inf, Penwith or Porteath Artillery although at this time it defies positive ID.

​​​Description: PV within incides rim​

​​Category:​​ Local Volunteer; ​

Type of button: Flat; ​

Metal: Pewter. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1794-1810 ​

PV Button
PV​
Ref No: 348- ​

Image Source: Philip Saunders.

RLV​
Ref No: 363- ​

Image Source: PAS Databse.

​Notes: A find from Owslebury Hampshire that is unknown at this point but could be from a London or Lancashire unit.

​​​Description: RLV undrer rose within royal motto surmounted by crown​

​​Category:​​ Local Volunteer; ​

Type of button: Flat ; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1794-1820 ​

RLV Button
Ross Guards​
Ref No: 365- ​

Image Source: Private.

​Notes: A Canadian find to presumably a Ross-shire Scottish unit although no unit using that name has yet been identified hence its inclusion here in the unknown section.

​​​Description: ROSS at top, GUARDS at bottom GR crowned in middle​

​​Category:​​ ; ​

Type of button: Flat 20mm; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy, silvered. Backmark​: None;

​Date​: c1794-1820 ​

ross guards
KV​
Ref No: 388- ​

Image Source: Matt Honeysett

​Notes: A Kent find that could well pertain to the (East) Kent Volunteer Infantry but as the (South) Kent unit used SKV it was presumed that EKV probably featured on the East Kent units, however finds are starting to point towards this being the style worn by the Kent (East) Volunteer Infantry.

​​​Description​: KV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ​; ​

Metal: Petwer; Backmark: None

​Date​: c1794-1820 ​

KV Button
S ​
Ref No: 380- ​

​Image Source: Kevin P.

​Notes: A Somerset find that could refer to Somerset Vols as they only had one regt of militia between 1763-97 to muddy the waters further another was found in Sussex so we can but hope later finds may assist in getting a positive ID.

​​​Description: S below crown within lined rim ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat ; ​

Metal:Pewter .; Backmark: None;

​Date: ​c1790-1820

S Button
S V I​
Ref No: 422- ​

​Image Source: MY

​Notes: See also BVI above and GVI is also known, The SVI if proven to be Cambs or Suffolk as believed, is likely to be Swaffham, Soham, Stretham, Stapleford, or Sutton.​

​​​Description: FOR OUR COUNTRY around SVI monogra under crown  ​

Category:​​Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Convex 20mm ​; ​

Metal:Copper Alloy, silvered; Backmark: ;

​Date: ​c1800

SVI Button
N M​
Ref No: 423- ​

Image Source: MY

​Notes: An interesting find with possible link to ref 268 below. Notts or Northants appear to be the favourite candidates.

​​​Description: NM within decoration under crown​

​​Category:​​ Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Flat 15mm​; ​

Metal: Pewter. Backmark​: Unreadable;

​Date​: c1780 ​

NM Button

GB​

Ref No: 261- ​

Image Source: Al Luckenbach

​Notes: As yet not formally identified although it is believed to be from the 5th Garrison Battalion.

​​​Description​: 5 with G B either side under crown on garter ​ ​​

Category​: Garrison Battalion?; ​

Type of button: Convex, 20mm ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated; Backmark: None

​Date​: c1800-c1816 ​

5th garrison battalion
HVI​
Ref No: 428- ​

Image Source: Kevin P.

​Notes: Sadly with no findspot recorded and there being a number of HVI options it can only be hoped further finds will help attribute this style.

​​​Description​: Monogram letters HVI under crown ​ ​​

Category​:Volunteer Infantry; ​

Type of button: Convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy gilded; Backmark:

​Date​: c1790-c1810 ​

HVI button
ELV​
Ref No: 433- ​

Image Source: Chris

​Notes: Found near Evesham in the style of Worcestershire units likely to be to Elmley Lovett Volunteers, or though Evesham Loyal Vols is the other possibility.

​​​Description​: ELV under crown ​ ​​

Category​: English Infantry Militia​​; ​

Type of button: Slightly convex ​; ​

Metal: Copper Alloy silver plated; Backmark:

​Date​: c1800-c1810 ​

ELV Button
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