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  #1  
Old 03-10-22, 03:32 PM
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Default Hobson

Are these button backstamps completely spurious?
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  #2  
Old 03-10-22, 04:33 PM
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No, Hobson & Sons were and continue to be major manufacturers of military and civilian uniforms and equipment.

Dave.
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  #3  
Old 03-10-22, 05:44 PM
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Unfortunately, their Benfleet factory is now demolished and on its way to being replaced by a block of flats
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Old 03-10-22, 11:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by altcar73 View Post
No, Hobson & Sons were and continue to be major manufacturers of military and civilian uniforms and equipment.

Dave.
Indeed, one of the most prolific makers of military uniforms and effects for a very long time. I think that the button in question was likely made by another firm with Hobson's name added, as I believe they were not badge or button makers themselves.

CB
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Old 04-10-22, 06:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil2M View Post
Unfortunately, their Benfleet factory is now demolished and on its way to being replaced by a block of flats
They teamed up with Turner Virr & Co. Ltd. They had an on-line site called "Uniforium" but the site appears to have closed down.

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Uniforium is the on line catalogue of the Hobson Group.

The Group includes Turner Virr & Co. Ltd. and Hobson & Sons (London) and is operated from the Turner Virr premises in Yorkshire.

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Old 04-10-22, 08:33 AM
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So do you think that particular backstamp to be original then?


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No, Hobson & Sons were and continue to be major manufacturers of military and civilian uniforms and equipment.

Dave.
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  #7  
Old 04-10-22, 08:53 AM
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Yes I would says so, here is an 18mm KC GS button with a similar mark.

What is on the front of your button Frank?

Rob

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Old 04-10-22, 09:26 AM
Terry Rayner Terry Rayner is offline
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Hi Troops
I have a Essex 25mm button with... HOBSON & SONS LEXINGSTON ST LONDON W as the backmarker.
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  #9  
Old 04-10-22, 09:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbuehler View Post
Indeed, one of the most prolific makers of military uniforms and effects for a very long time. I think that the button in question was likely made by another firm with Hobson's name added, as I believe they were not badge or button makers themselves.

CB
A post from 2012 makes no mention of them manufacturing buttons , so it is possible/probable that you are correct.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...58&postcount=2

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Old 04-10-22, 10:00 AM
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I wonder why they would have their name put on a GS button by another manufacturer?

And they have numerous different back marks going right back into the Victorian period.

Rob

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Old 04-10-22, 12:03 PM
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Their main business was Military Tailoring and Outfitting but they also supplied other items bearing their name including belt buckles and swords !

An article in Illustrated London (1893) states that :

"Metal badges , ornaments , and buttons of every description made to order"

It is not clear whether they actually made them or they were 'sub contracted' to other manufacturers and produced with their own marks on them ?

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Old 04-10-22, 12:28 PM
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I believe they subcontracted certain items. I have seen Hobson marked buttons before.

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Old 04-10-22, 12:48 PM
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The King's Regt awarded the contract for Hobsons for their badges (I assume buttons too). Certainly 1880s and 1908.
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  #14  
Old 04-10-22, 01:35 PM
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It's quite common for uniform manufacturers to backmark buttons with their company name. It does not mean that the button has been made by the company whose name is on it, just that it's retailed by them.

I have several buttons with the name "Grantham" on the back. That said, Grantham are uniform retailers not button makers.

Dozens of military belt buckles are marked "Hobson". They don't make the buckles, they retail them.

Dave.
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  #15  
Old 04-10-22, 04:23 PM
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Hello Rob,
Yes, I can see your button and it has what I would expect for that period, very clearly an antique proper that looks it's age, but, the King Edward's Horse example in the original post, I think, pretends to be of the same period, if original , I would expect the same backstamp of Hobson & Sons, not Son, executed in the same manner.
Regards Frank



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Yes I would says so, here is an 18mm KC GS button with a similar mark.

What is on the front of your button Frank?

Rob

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