22 replies to this topic

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents.

I have a lot of these buttons in my possession and I thought it about time to add a few pictures
of these items here, Irish military buttons can often be found being sold on Evil Bay along with the claim that they are from the Old IRA period / War of Independence time.

I will start with the large brass 25mm buttons usualy found on the Military Parade Dress tunics and Overcoats for All Ranks.

A generic design of a Celtic Harp with the intials " I V " which stands for Irish Volunteer.

Most designs show 9 strings on the harp, however there are examples with only 8 strings.

The pictures show them in an uncleaned and unpolished condition,

yup many a Sargeant-Major must be rolling over in their graves at such a thought!


Maker Marked: DOWLER BIRMINGHAM.

William Dowler & Sons. Graham St. Works, Birmingham 1 (in 1946) Founded 1774, probably as Thomas Dowler of Great Charles St., Birmingham. Amalgamated with Firmin in 1969.  

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 01 March 2012 - 14:18 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 2:-


Maker Marked:- None.

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

Number 3:-


Maker Marked: FIRMIN LONDON

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

Number 4:-



Maker Marked:- FIRMIN & SONS Ltd LONDON

Firmin & Sons Ltd., Globe Works, Villa Street Aston, Birmingham, also in London, button makers established 1677, 108, 109 St. Martin’s Lane. London, 1894. The company has been based in Birmingham since 1882.  Their current address is 82-86 New Town Row, Birmingham B6 4HU.   The Firmin Group incorporates several other long established companies which include J R Gaunt & Son (established 1750), William Dowler & Son (established 1774), Smith & Wright (established 18th century) and Stratton of London (established 1860).

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 01 March 2012 - 14:19 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 5:-



Maker Marked:-  P 7 T  (possibly refers to P&T = Posts And Telegraphs,) I have seen certain items of
Irish military kit such as wellington boots, pick helves, full size shovels etc.. etc.. marked this way,
the reasoning being that it saved on duplication of ordering items especially for the D.o.D. by the Civil Service.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 31 January 2012 - 19:31 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 6:-



Maker Marked:- BUTTONS LIMITED BIRMINGHAM.

Buttons Ltd., Birmingham. In 1913 they had three works sites in Birmingham, Portland Street, Worstone Lane and Clissold Street, making buttons, buckles and stampings.
Some buttons were also made in London. They also sold suitable dies and button making machinery. Trademarks included 'Three Domes' and crossed swords.   Now a division of Francis Sumner Engineering Co.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 01 March 2012 - 14:17 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 7:-



Maker Marked:- BUTTONS Ltd BIRMINGHAM with crossed swords motif.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 25 February 2012 - 09:46 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 8:-



Maker Marked:- None, stylelized circular design.

Note:- only 8 harp strings in this design.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 04 February 2012 - 21:39 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 9:-



Maker Marked:- None, plain rear.

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

Number 10:-

(Work in Progress)

Maker Marked:- GAUNT  LONDON

Gaunt, J.R. Ltd. Birmingham 1870 to 1973. Manufacturer of military and uniform buttons.


J R Gaunt & Sons, J R G & S, (prior to 1913, trading for 200 years as Ed Thurkle in Woostone Parade) 33, Clifford St., Aston, Birmingham until being taken over by Birmingham Mint in 1973, also in London, buckles, buttons, fittings, clasps.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 01 March 2012 - 14:37 .

[Kev in Deva]

A selection of small Brass Parade Dress buttons, circa 16mm diameter.

Number 1:-



Maker Marked:- None plain back.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 01 March 2012 - 14:38 .

[Kev in Deva]

Maker Marked: GAUNT LONDON



Kevin in Deva

Edited by Kev in Deva, 06 March 2012 - 18:31 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 4:-



Maker Marked:- None, stylelized circular design.

Note:- only 8 harp strings in this design.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 04 February 2012 - 21:41 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 5:-



Maker Marked:- BUTTONS Ltd B'HAM

Note:- only 8 harp strings in this design.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 04 February 2012 - 21:42 .

[Kev in Deva]

Number 6:-



Maker Marked:- with 5 Astericks.

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

Number 7:-



Maker Marked:- FIRMIN LONDON

Kevin in Deva.

[gerardkenny]

Great reference thread.

[Kev in Deva]

So called "STAYBRIGHT" Buttons used by the Irish Defence Forces & Reserve Defence Forces:-

Diameter:- 25 mm

Number 1:-



Maker Marked:- stylelized "A" 25mm.

Brass rear.

Kevin in Deva

Edited by Kev in Deva, 06 February 2012 - 18:55 .

[Kev in Deva]

16mm



Maker Marked:- stylelized "A" 16mm.

Brass rear.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 06 February 2012 - 22:00 .

[Kev in Deva]

16mm:-



Maker Marked:- with 5 Astericks.

Brass backed.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited by Kev in Deva, 06 February 2012 - 22:01 .