buttons data sought

[GTB]

Gentlemen

Some assistance requested.

There is a dearth of designs for buttons used throughout the life of the RAF, namely 3 main types: Crowned eagle (KC) in rope border, crowned eagle (KC), crowned eagle (QC) differently shaped.

Would anyone have AFOs or Sealed patterns info as to changes? What also intrigues me is the pattern change of QC eagle from that worn with KC. Would this be down to the oft mentioned albatross v eagle polemic? Bear in mind that buttons only were affected, the shoulder eagles weren't, although latterly there has been a change here!

Comments welcome

GTB

[GTB]

Nada??

GTB

[Buttonman]

There were a couple of articles on RAF uniforms in the September & October 1985 Military Modelling magazine by Andrew Cormack & Bob Marrion. There is not much regarding buttons in them but maybe the following may be of some help?

Part one, Officers' Uniforms 1918-39.

"Air Force Memorandum 2 [AFM 2] is the foundation document for the study of the early uniforms of both officers and men of the RAF. Amendments to it, and completely new schemes of clothing, were announced in Air Ministry Weekly Orders [AMWOs] up to 1930 and from then on in Air Ministry Orders [Administrative] [AMO A] which appeared in numerical sequence."

"The first pattern of uniform for RAF officers as described in AFM 2 was to be produced in two colours either khaki or pale blue grey."
"There were no shoulder straps and BUTTONS WERE OF GILT METAL, EMBOSSED WITH CROWNED EAGLE, AND DECORATED WITH A ROPED EDGING WITH KHAKI KIT, AND THE BIRD AND CROWN ALONE WITH THE BLUE KIT."

"By 1924 it is extremely rare to find pictures in which any uniform other than standard blue grey with black field boots or marching boots with puttees appears." So were the roped edged officers' buttons gone by c. 1924?


Part two, Other Ranks Uniforms.

"AMWO 783/19. WO1s retained the belt with a buckle, the latter AND THE BUTTONS BEING OF A GILDING METAL, THOSE FOR WO2s AND BELOW WERE TO HAVE LEATHER BUTTONS STAMPED WITH ROPE EDGE AND CROWNED EAGLE."
"POOR QUALITY OF WARTIME-PRODUCTION LEATHER BUTTONS RESULTED IN MAY 1922, IN AUTHORISATION BEING GIVEN FOR METAL BUTTONS TO BE WORN WITH KHAKI KIT."

David.

[leigh kitchen]

Thanks button - first I've heard of the OR's leather buttons.

[Alex Rice]

Here's a link to an earlier thread on buttons, the leather buttons get a mention too.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=60608
Cheers,
Alex

[Postwarden]

I recently acquired a wartime Gale & Polden chart illustrating RAF badges.

Amongst those shown is that described as above but I have never seen an example. It looks as if it is modelled on the five pointed star used as an Efficiency star by the TA in the 1930s as noted in Edwards and Langley's excellent book.

The poster shows the RO wing introduced in 1941 but not the later B or S wings introduced in 1942 so must date to 1941/1942.

Has anyone got one or a picture of it being worn?

Jon

[leigh kitchen]

Is this one?

[GTB]

Thanks guys for jogging my memory with that earlier thread. I actually instigated it but a cloudy memory let me down! That old thread was a highly interesting and professional accumulation of data that solved not a few questions. Thanks again

GTB