Buttons


The Warrant of 1768 ordered that the regimental number be displayed on buttons. The left hand button was worn by the 42nd in America c1776 replacing an earlier button which had a plain 42. The officers and other ranks had similar designs to this, of a crown over 42 with thistles and flowers around the rim. This is an other rank's pewter button. The gilt button in the middle is an officer's gilt button c1830 and was worn probably from c1815 to 1855. The diamond shaped button is an other rank's button worn on the doublet introduced in 1856.

This is a 3/4 " diameter other ranks' open backed pewter button made by Nutting of Covent Garden. It has a fixed integral pewter loop. In 1840 he changed his backmark to Nutting & Son which means that this particular example can be dated to the 1830s. Image kindly contributed by Ron Marsden.

This is a 3/4" diameter other ranks' open backed pewter button manufactured by I & B Pearse London. It has a movable iron loop, this backmark was in use after 1840. This example was excavated in the Crimea so it was still in use in 1855. Image kindly contributed by Ron Marsden.


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by Stephen Luscombe