Guards Machine Gun Regiment Buttons

[button_magpie]

Hi all,

I've meant to join the BCMBF for some time now as I always end up referring to the forum (in a non member capacity which obviously has its limitations) for all those unanswered questions or when identification of a button or badge has been bugging me for ages. Maybe if I had joined sooner, I would have the answers by now and retained my hair!
If I may, I'll kick off my first thread with a bit of a poser - I've searched the site for any existing threads to no avail, so forgive me for any repetition here.

If a brass GMGR button has no backmark - does this make it a repro? I have an 18mm plain backed tunic pocket version which is in mint condition. It looks very much the part except the brass content appears a little low. I have been informed recently that all GMGR buttons should be marked (e.g. Jennens & Co. Ltd being a typical manufacturer). Furthermore, a batch of plain backs were produced for a TV programme! Could this mean I have acquired one of those?! I'm really intrigued by this and wondered if any other members could shed any light on any of the above.

By the way, I collect all sorts to the York & Lancaster (WW1 period predominently).

Thank you!

[Unknownsoldier]

Hi,

Welcome and a most interesting question. Tbh how does the button feel? is it smooth, does it have the feel of age (rounded edges and crimps etc.), can you post any photo's?

ATB,
Tom

[button_magpie]

Thanks Unknownsoldier, I have attached a couple of images. I should have uploaded these to start with.

The brass appears quite yellow compared to some I have seen and the piece is relatively lightweight altogether - not the solid little lumps you get with Gaunt, Firmin, etc. Also fairly rough and not particularly glossy. However, its not uncommon for a particular button to be manufactured by several makers as we know. I think that is what I am attempting to research and establish too; How many makers manufactured GMGR buttons? Was it one manufacturer who had sole commission? I guess that would be very difficult to determine!

Maybe other members could let me know the manufacturer of their GMGR button/s just to give an idea of the numbers.

Kind regards,

[Staffsyeoman]

I bought a card of four of these about five years ago - same plain backs. Mine are slightly better finished on the front. I have never thought them to be originals; they did not cost much and I have had them as illustrative space fillers.

Perhaps there is an issue that if these were - shall we say - reproduced with a back stamp purporting to be but not from the original manufacturer we get into legal problems. My button collection is at a distance at the moment but I don't recall any plain back Guards-related buttons.

[Frank Kelley]

I was only talking to someone about GMGR buttons the other day, I have never actually seen any without a back stamp other than those shown in this this thread, the "TV programme" mentioned in the original post sounds interesting, I wonder what that was.

[Artynut]

For Bill A. (Moderator) I have just spent some considerable time responding to Button Magpie’s post. I then clicked on “Review Post”, prior to “Posting” it, only to be told that I was NOT logged in, (and I KNOW I was!) and POOF! Away went all my hard work!. After I tried to log in twice, I was finally in again, but nowhere can I find my proposed post! So BILL A., is there a time limit one has to complete a post in once started. And secondly, where did my draft go? And to Button Magpie, failing a reply from Bill A., I will compose a letter again possibly this evening. Regards, David J.