Leather 'Football' Button

[wardog]

I've searched button jars/tin boxes in charity shops for military buttons and this type of button does turn up quite often. Regards, Paul.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...1269029317.jpg
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...1269029380.jpg

[BCCU]

I have one of theses buttons. I enjoy your 'football' description as it is very apt. Over time I have read about them as being woven - however they appear more pressed to me - more a disc of leather formed under pressure and steam, with a fixed brass loop.
I have other leather button example,me.g. British General Service Button, Royal Naval Air Service, RAF and the General Service Button.
Does anyone have information on companies who made these buttons or manufacturing techniques in Britain, Australia?
One of the simple joys of button collecting is you never know what will turn up next.
Happy New Year and Happy Collecting.
Campbell

[1314]

Rather obtuse, but Inspectorate and above in the Northern Rhodesia Police were issued with a brown military style raincoat ( macintosh),these were fitted with these buttons,large on the front,smaller on the epaulettes but with perhaps a ' tighter ' pattern ie more ' panels ' on the ball.They were sewn onto the coat.

[John Mulcahy]

Worn by the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars as follows.

1. By officers and the RSM on the front of "the British Warm" - leather, large size.
2. By officers on battle dress and by officers and the RSM on the shoulder straps of the "British Warm" - leather, small size.
3. Sometimes worn by officers and the RSM on the front of the Bush Jacket - large size, composition (imitation leather).
4. as above - small size, sometimes worn by officers and RSM on the pockets and shoulder straps of the Bush Jacket.

source

The Dress Distinctions of the VIII King's Royal Irish Hussars as Worn at the time of the Amalgamation of the Regiment in 1958,
Langridge's Military Publications.

John

[GTB]

With the amount of interest that this thread generated, I think I can safely say that the leather 'football' button has a place within the ranks of regimental & corps buttons, even if this were to be relegated to a 'miscellaneous' caption. Granted that one would have to be specific and weed out any 'civilian' types as opposed to those specimens sanctioned for military wear.
GTB

[Peter Brydon]

If anyone wants some:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Captain-Ho...#ht_4319wt_907.

P.B.

[mule-73k]

This type of button was also worn by the Irish Volunteer units and Irish National Volunteer units, 1913-16! Seems a generic style for many units!

Dave

[Jelly Terror]

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[Coliny]

I was interested in the patterns of these leather buttons - the first "football" one looked almost like a simplified Celtic design - and tied in with their presence on the QOH uniform. However their universality scotched that theory! As also mentioned they do resemble the woven leather buttons on civilian tweed jackets ( now replaced by moulded plastic I think!). But why the interesting patterns on moulded buttons, if - as has been suggested - they were something of an economy measure?

[GTB]

Just to 'keep the ball rolling', while racing against time through the Army Museum in Brussels, I noticed a showcased mannequin of a WW1 Russian soldier (at least the section was Russia WW1), dressed in light blue uniform with brown leather football buttons! I pointed this out to the wife (to keep her impressed at the keenness of my observation!!!). Sadly, I just didn't have the time to take detailed notes. Need to visit again, but with adequate leisure time.
GTB