• Metal detecting holidays in England with the World's most successful metal detecting club.20 years plus.

    Twinned with Midwest Historical Research Society USA.

     

  • Use the new seachable Navy button photo albums click here

    At first, buttons consisted of white metal, usually with a rose in the centre.

    In 1774 a foul anchor surrounded by rope edging took the place of the rose and in 1787 the same device with the addition of a wreath of laurel leaves was adopted for Admirals. When the Merchant Navy started to use the foul anchor device, a crown was added for all naval officers in 1812. The same basic design remains in use today.

    The foul anchor device itself was first recorded in use in the seal of the Lord High Admiral of Scotland in 1402. It was subsequently adopted in the Admiralty seal and by a large number of navies throughout the world. The rope 'fouling' has no specific twist and may be deemed to be correct however it fits around the anchor

     

     

     

    Great electronic on line reference Navy books written by:

    Tim Burt
    Hamwic House
    Box 895
    Elora
    Ontario
    Canada - N0B 1S0

    He has written 19 Books on Tunic Buttons of all types. Contact him on info@hamwichouse.com to order a copy.

     

    Admiral Sir Edward Vernon (30 October 1723 – 16 June 1794) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station.

     

    RN Captain - 1757
    ( Dress )
    In Æ Gilt or Silver Gilt
    In use 1757 - 1774

     

     

    Royal Navy Lieutenant - 1748

    RN Flag Officer - 1748
    Full Dress - 1748 - 1767
    G. P. Dress - 1748 - 1783
    Full & Undress - 1748 - 1787

    In 1774 a fouled anchor, plain edge or surrounded by rope edging, took the place of the Rose and in 1787, the same design, with the addition of a wreath of laurel leaves, was adopted for the Admirals.

     

     

     

    Capt / Commander - 1774-1787
    RN Master & Mate - 1787-1807
    RN Surgeon - 1787-1805
    RN Purser - 1787-1807
    RN Warrant Officer - 1787-1860
    RN Midshipman - 1787-1812
    RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1787-1812
    RN Instructors - 1727-1842
    RN Engineer 1st Cl. - 1837-1841
    Var. 01 . . . 1774 - 1860
    In use 1774 - 1860

    Unknown 18thC Royal Navy button - Master Surgeon ?

    MS either side of anchor

     

     

     

    Britain - Canada
    Merchant Navy
    Private Purchase - 1774-1812

    RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787

     

     

     

    1900's Generic Merchant Navy Officers
    		 
    RN Greenwich Hospital Service
    Officer's Hospital Staff Tunic
    Button
    In use 1800 - 1815
    RN Greenwich Hospital Service
    Officer's Hospital Staff Tunic
    Button
    In use 1814 - 1868
    RN Greenwich Hospital Service
    Officer's Hospital Staff Tunic
    Button
    In use 1814 - 1868
    		 

    Navy Hospital buttons

    RN Master buttons

    RN Master - 1807-1825
    RN Ass't Master - 1807-1825
    RN Volunteer Gr.II - 1824-1825
    In use 1807 - 1825


    Note: Anchors below stock

     

    RN Purser buttons

    RN Purser - 1807
    In use 1807 - 1825
    In Gilt

    Very interesting Navy button with crossed swords - unknown ?
    RN Flag Officer - 1795
    Var. 02 . . . 1795 - 1807
    In Gilt
    Type as worn by
    Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson
    		RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787
    RN Surgeon - 1807
    In use 1807 - 1812
    RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787     		RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787     		RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787

    Not in reference books

    It's to the  Preventive Water Guard - established in 1809. The coast of Britain was divided into three divisions, Carlisle to Landsend, Landsend to North Foreland and North Foreland to Berwick. Naval Officers with the title of Inspecting Captains were appointed to each division and given command of a small fleet. In 1816 the Preventive Water Guard was made responsible to the treasury. The Preventive Water Guard operated in coastal waters to tackle smugglers who evaded revenue cruisers. If the weather was rough, they operated from the shore. All recruitment was from demobilised Royal Navy sailors.
    Credit to Steve Newman of the British Military Buttons website for the info.

     
         
    RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787     		     
    With Crown buttons

    RN Flag Officer - 1827
    Right Leaning Stock
    In use 1827 - 1843

    Victoria crown

    Royal Navy - Officers (Roped Rim) Unlined Background 23mm - 1891-1901

    Victoria crown
    1827 Captains one piece Naval button(b)

    Royal Navy - Officers (Roped Rim) Lined Background 17.5mm - 1843-1891

    Victoria crown


    RN Capt / Commander - 1901
    Other Ship's Officers - 1901
    In use 1901 - 1952

    Kings crown

    RN Capt / Commander - 1843
    RN Lietenant - 1843
    RN Master - 1843
    RN Surgeon - 1843
    RN Purser - 1843
    RN Midshipman - 1843
    RN Warrant Officer - 1843

    Victoria crown

    1843- 1890

    Unusual Navy button - not recorded

    XX ?

    RN - Royal Naval Reserve

    Captain & other Officers

    In use 1886 - 1901

    RN Capt / Commander - 1901
    Other Ship's Officers - 1901
    In use 1901 - 1952

    		Royal Navy -1824 issue
    Late 18thC Navy cufflink
    Admiralty Civil Police
    In use 1940 - 1949
    became the Admiralty
    Constabulary in 1949
    RN Air Service

    In use WWI

    Officers Tunic Button
    RN Flag Officer - 1827
    Right Leaning Stock
       
    WWII Royal Marines button Admiralty Civil Police
    In use 1940 - 1949
    became the Admiralty
    Constabulary in 1949     		   

    RN Capt / Commander - 1812
    RN Lieutenant - 1812
    RN Midshipman - 1812
    RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1812
    After this issue a Midshipman
    will have the Captain's style

    )
    RN Capt / Commander - 1812 RN Capt / Commander - 1812
    RN Capt / Commander - 1825
    RN Lieutenant - 1825
    RN Midshipman - 1825
    In use 1825 - 1827
    RN Capt / Commander - 1825
    RN Navigation Branch - 1825
    In use 1825 - 1832
    In Gilt

    RN Capt / Commander - 1891

    RN Capt / Commander - 1901
    Other Ship's Officers - 1901
    In use 1901 - 1952

    19thC Royal navy button

    Legend Royal *****
    RN Flag Officer - 1827
    Left Leaning Stock
    In use 1827 - 1843
    RN Capt / Commander - 1825
    RN Lieutenant - 1825
    RN Midshipman - 1825
    In use 1825 - 1827
    R.N.V.R.
    Royal Naval Volunteer
     Reserve
    In use 1901 - 1952
           
    RN Capt / Commander - 1891 RN Capt / Commander - 1825
    RN Lieutenant - 1825
    RN Midshipman - 1825
    In use 1825 - 1827
    Royal Yacht Squadron RYS - RN Master - 1807-1825

     

    		 Honourable East India Company Navy button
    RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787     		Very large 1901 to 1952 Royal Navy button Royal Navy - Officers (Roped Rim) Lined Background 1843-1891

    RN Capt / Commander - 1901
    Other Ship's Officers - 1901
    In use 1901 - 1952

    Kings crown

    Royal Marines

    In 1855 the whole marine corps took the name Royal Marine Light Infantry (Red Marines). In 1859 a separate Division of Royal Marine Artillery (Blue Marines) was formed, but in 1923 the two merged to become the single corps of Royal Marines.

    During World War I, in addition to their usual stations aboard ship, Royal Marines were part of the Royal Naval Division which landed in Belgium in 1914 to help defend Antwerp and later took part in the amphibious landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It also served on the Western Front in the trenches.
    1955 Royal Marines Light infantry button 1902-1923 WWI Royal Marines Light infantry button - Kings crown Re 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown
    Re 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown
    1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown 1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown 1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown 1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown
    1902-1923 WWI Royal Marines Light infantry button - Kings crown Re 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown 1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown Re 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown
    1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown 1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown 1902- 1923 WWI Royal Marines button - Kings crown Re 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown
    1902-1923 WWI Royal Marines Light infantry button - Kings crown 1902-1923 Royal Marine artillery button- Kings crown 1902-1923 Royal Marine artillery button- Kings crown Re 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown
       
    WWII Royal Marines button 1901 Royal Marines Light infantry button - Victoria crown    

    H.M. Coast Guard
    O/R's Button
    In use 1820 - 1836 ?

     

     
     
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901     		Royal Northern Yacht Club
    Glasgow, Scotland
    In use 1837 - 1901     		UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal Victoria Yacht Club
    Ryde, IOW, UK
    2nd Pattern Button
    In use 1845 - 1901
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901

    19thC Royal Victoria Yacht Club

    Firmin & Sons

    London
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901
    19thC Northern Yacht Club button
    19thC Royal Victoria Yacht Club button
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901

    Royal Western Yacht club

    In use 1845 - 1901

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901
    		Junior Thames Yacht club
    1837 -1901 Royal Thames Yacht club 1837 -1901 Royal Victoria Yacht club button 1837 -1901 Royal Victoria Yacht club
    1837 -1901 Royal Harwich yacht club UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. L. C. - R. T. L. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901     		1837 -1901 Royal Eastern Yacht club 1837 -1901 Royal London Yacht Club button
    1837 -1901 Royal Harwich yacht club

    Royal Albert Yacht Club 24.5mm - Pre-1901 Yacht or Boat Club

    Crown -RA

    		 UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901     		UNITED KINGDOM
    Royal London Yacht Club
    R. T. Y. C. - R. T. Y. C.
    London, England
    In use 1837 - 1901
         
    19thC New York Yacht club button      

    Yacht clubs

    One piece Navy buttons

    HONI SOIT QUI MAN Y PENSE

    PACKET

    Honi soit qui mal y pense (Old French: shame upon him who thinks evil of it)

    RN - Packet Service
    ( Mail & Supplies Delivery )

    c.1800-1811
    Firmin & Co

    RN - Packet Service
    ( Mail & Supplies Delivery )

    c.1800-1811

    RN - Packet Service

    19thC Customs button
    19thC customs button
    19thC Customs button

    19th C 'HM' customs button ?

    Not seen this type before
     
    19thC Customs button
    		19thC Customs button His Majesty's Coast Guard - With Anchor - Plain Rim 15mm with King's Crown. Gilt Civilian uniform button  

    Customs button
    Napoleonic Navy button
    Netherlands
    Royal Netherlands Navy

    Engineering

    From 1890
    		WWII German Navy Kriegsmarine Button Neat 1820 USA navy cuff button
    'Further research on this button reveals this button appears to be relate the French 2nd Empire. My sample is of French Maritime Customs. Note the similarity'.
    French Navy - 1920's
    WWII German Navy Kreigsmarine Button

     

    WWII German Navy Kriegsmarine Button
    French Navy - 1870's

    US Navy button ID'd

    		AUSTRIA
    MN Generic Issue
    In use 1880 - 1918
    Ship's Officer Button
    Maker - Unknown

    Shipping line button Alloy Navy badge ?? Unknown Continental Navy button
    WWII German Navy Kriegsmarine Button

    WWII French Navy button

    Back mark , M &CE Paris
    WWII German Navy Kriegsmarine Button
    WWII German Navy Kriegsmarine Button

    USA Marines button

    Boston Elevated Bowe & Seligman as a backmark from 1880's to 1920

    USA Marine button

    1941 - 1960

    German navy pre 1918
    French Navy
    WWII German Navy Kreigsmarine Button
    Austria-Hungary
    Austria-Hungary Navy
    1918 - 1920s
    Austria-Hungary
    Austria-Hungary Navy
    1918 - 1920s
    Austria-Hungary
    Austria-Hungary Navy
    1918 - 1920s
    Spain 1812-1820s
    		Unknown

    Austria-Hungary

    Austria-Hungary Navy

    1918 - 1920s

     

    Continental type Crown - Yacht club ?

    RY

    Foreign Navy buttons
    19thC Great Eastern Railways and Steam ships company button Britain - Canada
    Merchant Navy
    Private Purchase - 1774-1812    		 19thC Cunard Line button Unknown shipping line button
         
    UNITED KINGDOM
    MN - G & J Burns Ltd.
    In use 1842 - 1922
    		     

    P &O line

    P&O Line
    In use 1920 - 1940s
    Maker - Unknown

     

    Before 1807 Honourable East India Company

     

    UNITED KINGDOM MN - G & J Burns Ltd. In use 1842
    1950 - 1990s period
    P/O or Crew
    Possible Muslim Bloc

    BELGIUM

    Red Star line 1900 - 1950's

    Unknown shipping line button
    UNITED KINGDOM
    C & D Line Ltd.
    Commonwealth &
    Dominion Line
    In use 1914 - 1937 ?
    Shipping line
    MN - Anchor Line
    In use 1900 - 1960s
    Maker - Waterbury
    Surrey commercial docks
    MN - Anchor Line
    In use 1900 - 1960s
    Maker - Waterbury
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Castle Mail Packet
    Company
    In use 1869 - 1899
    Maker - Unknown
    Merged - Union Castle Line 1899

    Union Castle Line
    In use 1899 onwards
    CANADA
    Canadian Pacific SS Line
    In use 1901 - 1930's
    Early Version
    Maker - Unknown

    Bristol Docks Authority
    In use 1820 - 1992
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Nourse Line
    In use 1860 - 1917
    IRELAND
    James P. Corry & Cº
    In use 1860 - 1920
    Ship's Officer Button
    		CANADA
    Canadian Pacific SS Line
    In use 1901 - 1930's
    Early Version
    Maker - Unknown
    Victorian Button, British India Steam Navigation Company; Blue Star Line TWS and Co shipping line button Britain - Canada
    Merchant Navy
    Private Purchase - 1774-1812     		19thC Great Eastern Steamship and Railway company button
         
    New Zealand Union steam shipping company button      

    19thC Cinque Ports button

    The Confederation of Cinque Ports is a historic series of coastal towns in Kent and Sussex. It was originally formed for military and trade purposes, but is now entirely ceremonial. It lies at the eastern end of the English Channel, where the crossing to the continent is narrowest.

    The name is Norman French, meaning "five ports".

    Shipping line and docks buttons

    Trinity House
    UK Lighthouse Authoruty
    Pilot's Tunic Button
    In use 1900 - 1930s
    "Trinity House Pilot"

     

    Trinity House

    Royal Navy button ID'd

    Anchor with keys each side

    Office of the Navy Treasury.
     I believe it was worn circa 1860.
    Hope this helps with the identification.
    Cheers 
    Roger Nixey
    Not known Royal Navy button Navy button ?

    Navy button - similar to Trinity House pilot

    Could be livery
    Navy button or dress ?
    Navy livery button ?

    Unknown Navy button

    GPV ??

     

    		 Unknown Navy button ?
           
           

     

     

     

    Buttons Livery
    Buttons Navy
    Buttons Dress
    Buttons Military Index

     

    If you can better ID any button or badge on this page please e-mail to buttons@colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk