Buttons - 'greek keys' and my nomenclature.

[btns]

All button collectors come across non-text backmarks by British manufacturers.
There may be different reasons for using them:
- the tailor did not want the button manufacturer's name on the buttons.
- the buttons were cheap and the manufacturer did not want his name on them.

Most are found on civic service buttons (fire brigades, police, transportation, ambulances).
A while ago I started giving them a name. The "hammerkey" matches Firmin dies. I have not managed to link the well known 'greekkey' to a manufacturer.
Here is the current lot:

[runic1901]

Hi btns,
Thanks for showing them. Quite a few I haven't yet found here in Australia.
Do you mean you have seen a Firmin die for the "hammer key" mark?
Do you know that the "Greek key" is not Firmin, or is there just a complete lack of information at present?
Regards, Tony

[Alex Rice]

Am I correct in assuming the 'greekkey' is the 3rd one along and the 'hammerkey' No.4?
Cheers,
Alex

[btns]

Hi,
Thank you both for your interest.
When you hover over the button you get its name.

1. 4starskey
2. circleskey
3. greekkey
4. hammerkey
5. snakekey
6. squarekey
7. star_key

I have never seen a back die with these symbols. All matching attempts have been made using the fronts of buttons.

I have found Firmin buttons to match the hammer key design.
Hammerkey back marks are on British and foreign buttons.

Many buttons with a greekkey are high quality maritime and naval buttons, British and foreign.

[tarabelle]

Very interesting and thank you for sharing
There are 2 I have never seen

T x

[Rob Miller]

Is there any way we can progress this by sharing buttons from our collections with these back marks which may tie down when they were in use?

Rob