Dear All,
Over the years, I have acquired a few items which just don't quite fit the 'run of the mill' stuff. I'm sure that most of you have picked up odd bits and pieces with no provenance as well.
In that vein... here are a few images of some buttons which seem odd (to me), which have been photographed beside a standard General Service button, for size comparison.
As you can see, immediately below the entirely standard (anodised) General Service button... is an oversized item, with the current period ('The Australian Army') Rising Sun device on its face. It looks too big to be worn on anything less than a (former) great coat/modern overcoat. I will check on the Fed Guard's use of the overcoat, in order to rule that out (because I would expect to find that GS buttons are used). So, I'm wondering if this 'beast' might actually be a drawer handle for some small display piece?
Then underneath that, is a very odd general service button shell (I think) with a proper manufacturer's (footed) lug soldered to the back. I'm not sure if the black paint residue on the front is pertinent to its history or use... but apart from mere whimsy... the only thing that comes to mind is that a button which is smaller than mid-sized and larger than cap/gorget, was required for something?
Then there is the apparently anodised shell on an earlier KC period button body. I have not put it under a microscope and looked carefully to verify whether the button face is anodised aluminium... but I thought this might well be a known item to Forum members in any event?
Finally, there is a cap/gorget sized item with a Queen's Crown device, but it is made in brass with a centrally placed brass lug, rather than a cast aluminium button body with an integrated shank and a pressed aluminium shell for the button face. A very odd little beast... it makes me wonder if there may be larger sizes made the same way and if so, for what purpose.
Anyway, these are all outside of my quite narrow knowledge base.
Regards
Yours in militaria collecting, research and scribbling about it all
Mark