Militia buttons

[GTB]

While I'm currently involved in arranging my Canadian collection it goes without saying that I will be having some questions to ask. Naturally, these will be of mutual benefit.
Case in point concerns certain Canada Militia buttons (apologies for state of scan).

Most KC & QVC buttons that I have incorporate the beaver as central motif. So what is the significance of the small button with scrolls 'Canada' and 'Militia' encircling a Crown (backmark 'Smith & Wright. Birmingham)?

Secondly, the trio of 'Beaver' buttons, from L to R: brass, gilt, silver(?). Again, practically all buttons are brass/gilt. So what precisely is the silver or wm button? I know Militia usually opt for silver/wm, but this doesn't seem to be the rule with the Canadian Militia.
For the record (and dating), backmarks are:
(a) Brass: None
(b) Gilt: 'J. E. AUSTEN. 213 YONGE ST. TORONTO'
(c) Silver: 'P. TAIT & Co. LIMERICK'. Stars and decorative motif surrounding shank
Thanks
GTB

[Cribyn]

Hello GTB

I am sorry I don't have the answers to your queries but as I would like to know myself I thought I would 'bump' this post and see if any of our Canadian experts have the answer!

When I first came across these Canadian Militia buttons years ago I acquired the QVC 'crown' version first and then the KC 'beaver' version. I thought that the QVC 'crown' pattern had been replaced at some point by the KC 'beaver' version but then I got hold of Eric Smylie's excellent book on Buttons of the Canadian Militia and he shows that both types were in use at the same time!

I would have thought that there is some significance to the different patterns but what it is escapes me! Same problem with the brass/white metal versions, some significance but what?

Here's hoping someone knows the answers!

Regards
Roger

[GTB]

While trawling the Forum I came across correspondence concerning pre-1902 Canada Militia Buttons originating from member GrantRCanada in 2009!
Not conclusive but every bit helps
GTB

[Michael Reintjes]

The white metal or silvered Canada Militia buttons are the earliest types I'm told with use during the 1860's until somewhere in the mid 1870's when the militia changed to gold braid, brass and guilt buttons. Officers rank and braid were also silver before the change...