Found some buttons, please help.
 

Hello all, I'm new to the forum, metal detecting is one of my hobbies and recently I have manage to unearth a couple of what I believe to be military buttons. All buttons were found in different parks within the CBD of the city of Adelaide, South Australia.

I'm just looking for any information on the buttons as I have very little military knowledge. I don't expect the buttons to be rare orworth a fortune but they are interesting to me all the same.

The anchor button is backmarked Goy & Co 36 Leadenhall St

The buttonwith the 40 reads Smith Kemp Wright, Birmingham on the back.

The silver coloured one which I doubt to be military, maybe a school or university reads Stokes and Sons Melb and is much more modern.

I would appreciate any info at all.

Thank You
Brendon.

Hello Brendon, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

The flag button is from a British shipping company: Shaw, Savill & Company. The name and address on the back belong to an outfitter. This address was used 1860-1876.
The same flag was used after the merger with the Albion Line in 1882. The company then became Shaw, Savill and Albion.

Your other button design was used by the 40th Regiment of Foot from 1855-1881. Please post a picture of the reverse. As it has "Smith, Kemp & Wright" it may be an other ranks' button. These can be dated 1855-1871. Australian button collectors may be able to tell you when the regiment was in Australia.

I cannot help on the lion button.

The 40th Regt. were in Australia 1824-29 & 1852-1860, your button looks like brass so the latter dates would be nearer.
The lion button is the Victoria Scottish Regt. 5th Infantry Battalion.

Thank You btns
This has really sparked my interest, I find all sorts of things detecting but I really like the history behind these buttons. I have provided a picture of the back of the 40th button hopefully you can see what you are looking for. I have also posted another button I was able to find, do you have any idea what it is or does anyone else know? Cheers.

Thank You Buttonman
I have actually found 2 of these Victoria Scottish Regt. 5th Infantry Battalion buttons, this one which is quite small and a larger one, probably from more recent ANZAC Day parades or the like.

Thank You people. It now looks like saving buttons might be a new hobby of mine, any ideas where to start? I realy like the idea of 1800's merchant shipping lines and it appears I already have a single button.
Cheers Brendon.

Thank You
 

Thank You btns
Its amazing that these buttons are here where I found them, it has really got me interested, I find old coins and relics all the time but the history behind these buttons tells a different story. I have uploaded the back of the 40th button, so hopefully you can find what you were looking for, I have also uploaded a pic of another button i have, do you or anyone else know what it is. Cheers Brendon.

Thank You Buttonman
I have actually found 2 of the lion buttons in recent times, this one and a slightly larger one, probably lost during more recent ANZAC Day parades. The 40th was found on the banks of the River Torrens under a big old gumtree, I can only imagine a soldier sitting under it some 150 odd years ago looking over the water, but who knows. Cheers Brendon.

This post may be repeated as I posted earlier but I can not see it so maybe it didn't work. Oh well.

Using buttonman's information you can put a very narrow 1852-1855 date on your other ranks' 40th foot button.

The new shipping line button you have posted is from Devitt & Moore, another British company with regular sailings to Australia.
http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/devitt.shtm

Can you let us know the text on the reverse?

Devitt and Moore shipping line button not military

Thanks again btns the reverse of the Devitt & Moore reads, S W Silver & Co London.

S.W. Silver was a major outfitter during the 19th century.
Here is a Grace's Guide summary:
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/S._W._Silver_and_Co

Dear Brendon,
PM sent

Hi Brendan,
40th Regt of Foot were the triggers at The Eureka Stockade. You found some real history in those little bits of metal!