I got mine from militaria shops in London.
I remember a lady with a bathtub full of anodised buttons. She also had bags and bags of anodised badges. She said 'collectors do not want these'. I can still draw the floorplan, but I have forgotten the location of the shop.
On Portobello Road I declined to buy two 1800s Royal Navy admiral's buttons for a pound each. I did not know what they were, how old they were and one shank was missing. I do not know if they were repros from the 1900s or the real thing, but it still hurts. I need to learn more and educate myself to become a better collector.
Rob: 1,50 apiece? You had a lot of pocket money and the museum shop was very expensive.
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