Federation of South Arabia (1962-68)
 

The attached brass buttons have baffled me for ages:
The first, with crossed flags of the Federation could well be an early pattern that was never adopted or had a particular use. The back is also brass and faintly struck with two circles. There are some other scattered markings but cannot be made out. The actual button worn had the Federation's coat-of arms and was in Staybrite.
The second, I'm presuming that it either has some connection with Aden due to the crossed jambiyas or it could also belong to one of the provinces that formed the Federation but I drew no match on the device. The back is also of brass and has two dotted circles.
Apart from learning the identity of these buttons, I have a particular interest in all uniform buttons, especially from this region and from South America. My preference are those from Malta. I also have a long list of duplicates for exchange.

Hello B.G. Please see the PM I have sent you. Regards, D.J.

I was very interested in the two buttons and agree the first looks like the Federation of South Arabia flag. No doubt some one will tell us if it is not. While I dont have any positive information for you, I can help to discount some ideas. First, I have no idea about the first button, but Eddie Parks will tell us what the inscription states. As regards the second, all I can say is that it is not APL as those buttons have a crown over them and APL on the scroll (Aden Protectorate Levies). In 1961 when the APL was handed over to the Federation of South Arabia it became known as the Federal Regular Army (FRA). I have shown a rather poor scan of the APL button and the FRA button. Each have a scroll unlike the one in the picture you show. I have the same button as you have and have wondered about it. It may be Pakistani? I really dont know. It is not APL and it is different from the FRA in that it does not have a scroll. Also I would have expected brass would not be used on buttons after 1961. No doubt some one will know and tell us what it is.
Quicksilver

Quicksilver, many thanks.
Although I don’t have the button with star at top, I’m familiar with buttons of the APL, FRA, Government Guards, Aden Police, etc., as I’m about to cover most in an article with a renown button specialist. We’ll then move on to the Federation and various Yemen that evolved, see attachment.
As to the button with the crossed ‘knives’, I have checked such weapons from that region for long hours and the closesg that I came was to the Yemeni jambiya. Then, although the ‘star and crescent’ are found everywhere, I also kept in mind that it was the emblem on the flag of some of the states that formed the Federation of South Arabia. Maybe the button was worn in one of these states and isn't recorded! Even the crossed knives on buttons from Bahrain and Jordan or the swords from Oman and Saudi, are totally different. This is just like the eagle, or rather ‘seker’ (desert hawk) on many Middle Eastern buttons, unless you’re very familiar with international heraldry, you can easily go wrong on the nationality or maybe the script on the scroll is legible enough and you can get a translation. Another case is the Jordanian and Iraqi royal crowns, both identical since both kingdoms are/were Hashemites. But then, buttons from this region are a beautiful subject.
I appreciate that you shared your opinion with me and thank Eddy Parks in advance for any assistance.
Button_guru

Hi Button Guru,

Just a thought, but the first button in your picture looks vaguely similar to the insignia

worn by the Aden Federal/Government Guard.

Hope this helps in some way?

Best regards,
Zob.

Thanks,
But it has much differences that can be debated.
In fact, that is what I have been discussing with the other guys.
button_guru

Sorry,
I thought that you were referring to the first button in my unknowns in my first message. Yes, the one you're referring to just thaT, APL, which is on the scroll below on both the gilt and anodised versions. Then there's the same unknown again and the rest are from Yemen during different eras; North, South and at present as one country.
button_guru

Hi Quicksilver,
I was doing some further investigating and have finally located and put together what I believe the button could belong to. Our principal factor was based on the cap badges of the APL and the FRA. So, in the attached scan, although slightly faint, I have mounted the bi-metal and anodised badges of the APL followed by same of the FRA. So far so good, but now look at the fifth; the enamelled badge. It has the star sunk withinin the crescent as on the button and look closely at the scroll, the initials in Arabic text are very different from those of the FRA! Could my button belong to whatever this unit was, albeit without the scroll?
Another food for thought are the many local units listed under the section titled Arabian Peninsula at this site: http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/bri...1918_award.htm
Note of how many local units are listed in the various Aden districts, which although I doubt whether most had worn a uniform or a respective badge, the possibility still remains and therefore including a distinctive button.
I look foreward to what Mr Parks has to say, as I have read some of his contributions on the subject in other sections and he's quite an authority.
Regards to all,
D

Couple of points. The cap badges you show are APL FRA and SAA. The SAA was formed in 1967 from the FNG and FRA mainly. I was attached to the South Arabian Army for a few weeks. They did not wear the brass button. Not sure what they wore but I think it would have been the old FRA button. The FNG button had crossed rifles on it and we know what the FRA button looked like. The many states, sheikdoms and sultanates that formed the Federation of South Arabia were rather poor. Qu'aiti and Lahej, which were not rich, did have metal shoulder titles and badges for their police force's. I dont think they would have had buttons specially made. If the button with the crossed jambias is South Arabian then it has to be after the Federation was born. As mentioned earlier, anodized material was available then, but I am not excluding it was an early type of FRA button. One area that we have not discussed is Iraq and the RAF Levies. Could the button be from them?
I suspect you have not read THE ARMED FORCES OF ADEN AND THE PROTECTORATE, which Helion Publishing in England have just released. This is full of photos and badges plus 21 coloured illustrations and a lot of history of each unit. It is focused on the locally raised Arab units. I think it is a wonderful book, but perhaps I am biased slightly.
BRgds
Quicksilver

Many thanks once again and especially from someone who had served there. Also for the details on the book. The only one I've read so far is Warriors of Arabia: Memoirs of a Medical Officer in Aden and Beyond, by Franco Grima, from whom I got it directly.
Since my interest is pricipally uniform buttons, maybe you can help me with their relations to badges.
The buttons of the APL and FNA are exactly as the badges.
The enamelled badge is of the SAA; was it worn with both pattern buttons, first the brass one with crossed flags, star, jambiya and crescent with script (my message 11 Feb), which later changed to the staybrite with shrouded crescent with script and jabiya and star above?
The FNG wore the crossed rifles and jambiya within the crescent button and identical badge, who previously wore the button with GG with King's Crown above, and the badge with crossed rifles, GG, King's crown and jambiya, all on a scroll.
My confusion on the unknown button continues since one cannot exclude the Iraqi Levies and other units in the Gulf Zone. Yet the handles of jambiyas on their badges all seem to have a receded grip on the handle. And then there's the star and crescent; which although widely used in Pakistan and the former Straits Settlements, jambiyas weren't on their badges.
Still, I'm very grateful for your time and information.
BRgds,
button_guru

Just back from holiday and found this. I am having difficulty with the scroll on the first button - I wonder if it's possible to rephotograph it - it doesn't matter if the rest of the button is lost/unfocused!

In the meantime I think we can safely say the mystery button has no connection with the Iraq Levies or any of the Gulf States. As you say the hilt pattern is quite wrong and very specific. I'd be quite certain it's from the Yemen area.
Eddie

Possible SAA button
 

Hello Eddie,
Many thanks for your offer. Here's the button again but am sorry that it cannot be sharper. Are you familiar with the Arab language? I have a few unknowns/uncertainties from this region and maybe you can help, at your own leasure. I'll post them here later on.
Rgds,
button_guru

Huum - going to need help on this one. My Arabic reading skills are about on par with a six year old. But I do have an Arab daughter-in-law ...

If you put up your mysteries I'll do my best.

Eddie

Arabic/Middle East Buttons
 

Hello Eddie,
Thanks for your offer. I'm afraid that there are a few and must admit that not all are my own buttons. A couple are from borrowed photos. Any assistance is appreciated as this is one of my major interests in button collecting and researching.
Row 1/1, 1/2 and 1/3 Possibly from Abu Dhabi, 1/4 Possibly Iran (Shah).
Row 2/1, 2/2 (Air Force or Airline) and 2/3 Unknowns, 2/4 Iraq or Jordan.
Row 3/1 and 3/2 Unknowns, 3/3 Iraq or Jordan, 3/4 Unknown possibly Kuwait.
Row 4/1 Possibly Ottoman, 4/2, 4/3 (possibly Air Force) and 4/4 Unknowns.
Row 5/1 Unknown navy, 5/2. 5/3 and 5/4 (Postal or Telegraph) Algerian.
Jordanian and Iraq kingdom buttons have identical crowns since both are/were Hasemite kingdoms. Some could be turned around a little!
A 'Shukran' (thanks) in advance to your daughter-in-law.
Rgds,
button_guru

Well we've struggled with the first button and this is what we came up with:

It reads Al Adel Assas Al Mulouk which translates as Justice is the basis of wealth.

Best I can do!!

Eddie