New Zealand made buttons - Yeah right

[nbroadarrowz]

In my research into the volunteer period, I looked at the metal buttons embossed with NZ unit designs.
Some of these buttons have NZ company names to the rear, leading some to think that they are NZ made.
I found no evidence of a metal button manufacturing industry in New Zealand at any period.
So why the NZ names on the rear?
Simply advertising, and in the same league as advertisement on a shopping bag or pen.
The buttons were mostly made in Britian and if you paid more, you could have your business name on the rear.

If anyone has any evidence-based reference material that shows the volunteer buttons were made in NZ, then I would be happy to see it.

exceptions.
During WW2 Bakelite buttons for the air force and navy were made in NZ.
Robert Embroideries from Palmerston North did have button dies made and produced a limited number until the dies were stolen. This was pre-WW1 and most likely the post 1911 New Zealand Force design.

Any new material welcome.
Barry

[kingsley]

I have seen Australian buttons, mainly Cadets, marked on the back "David Jones" and "X? Woollen Mills" (forget which). These military tailors also supplied buttons which had their company marking but obviously not made by them. I believe that some early NZ buttons were made by Stokes Melbourne but I think they would have insisted on their own name on the backs.

[Milmed]

Same here in South Africa before we started making our own buttons in the 1950's, we had UK made buttons with South African supplier names as a back mark. This is noted on some buttons going back to Victorian days.

[nbroadarrowz]

Thanks for insight into Australian and South African buttons.
Barry