Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Compiled by . . . Tim Burt, Hamwic House, PO Box 895, Elora, ON, Canada, N0B 1S0

Royal Navy - Buttons of Rank Page 01

At first, Pre-1748 most naval buttons consisted of a plain white metal, (Pewter),
Post-1748 true designs appeared, such as a rose like device in the centre, etc..

RN Flag Officer - 1748 RN Flag Officer - 1748 RN Flag Officer - 1748 RN Flag Officer - 1748 RN Cap't / Comm'r - 1748-1774
Coat & Waistcoat Waistcoat & Breech Legs Full Dress - 1748 - 1767 Full Dress - 1748 - 1767 RN Lt-Dress - 1748-1767
In use 1748 - 1757 In use 1748 - 1767 G. P. Dress - 1748 - 1783 G. P. Dress - 1748 - 1783 RN Midshipman - 1748-1787
In Gilt Lace In Gilt Full & Undress - 1748 - 1787 Full & Undress - 1748 - 1787 RNC Scholars - 1748-1787
In Gilt In Gilt In use 1748 - 1787
In Gilt

RN Lieutenant - 1748 RN Lieutenant - 1748 RN Lieutenant - 1748 RN Lieutenant - 1748

( Undress ) ( G. P. Dress ) ( Undress ) ( Dress )
In Pewter or Silver In Gilt or Silver ( Hand Engraved Variation ) In Æ Gilt or Silver Gilt
In use 1748 - 1767 In use 1767 - 1787 In Pewter or Silver In use 1748 - 1774
In use 1748 - 1774

In 1774 a fouled anchor, plain edge or surrounded by rope edging, took the place of the Rose and in
1787, the same design, with the addition of a wreath of laurel leaves, was adopted for the Admirals.

RN Lieutenant - 1748 Capt / Commander - 1774-1787
( Dress ) RN Master & Mate - 1787-1807
In Æ Gilt or Silver Gilt RN Surgeon - 1787-1805
In Pewter or Silver RN Purser - 1787-1807
In use 1748 - 1774 RN Warrant Officer - 1787-1860
RN Midshipman - 1787-1812
RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1787-1812
RN Instructors - 1727-1842
RN Engineer 1st Cl. - 1837-1841
In use 1774 - 1860
Capt / Commander - 1774-1787
RN Master & Mate - 1787-1807
RN Surgeon - 1787-1805
RN Purser - 1787-1807
RN Warrant Officer - 1787-1860
RN Midshipman - 1787-1812
RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1787-1812
RN Instructors - 1727-1842
RN Engineer 1st Cl. - 1837-1841
Var. 01 . . . 1774 - 1787
In use 1774 - 1787
Capt / Commander - 1774-1787 RN Capt / Commander - 1774
RN Master & Mate - 1787-1807 Var. 03 . . . 1774 - 1787
RN Surgeon - 1787-1805 In use 1774 - 1787
RN Purser - 1787-1807
RN Warrant Officer - 1787-1860
RN Midshipman - 1787-1812
RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1787-1812
RN Instructors - 1727-1842
RN Engineer 1st Cl. - 1837-1841
Var. 02 . . . 1774 - 1787
In use 1774 - 1787
 Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.
Royal Navy - Buttons of Rank Page 02

RN Flag Officer - 1787 RN Capt / Comm'r - 1787-1795
In use 1787 - 1795 RN Lieutenant - 1787-1795
In Gilt With this issue a Lieutenant
will use the same design
as a captains button
In use 1787 - 1795
RN Capt / Commander - 1787
RN Lieutenant - 1787
With this issue a Lieutenant
will use the same design
as a captains button
In use 1787 - 1795
RN Capt / Comm'r - 1795-1812
RN Lieutenant - 1795-1812
Vertical Anchor
In use 1795 - 1812

RN Flag Officer - 1795
In use 1795 - 1807
RN Flag Officer - 1795
Var. 02 . . . 1795 - 1807
RN Flag Officer - 1795
Var. 01 . . . 1795 - 1807
RN Surgeon - at Sea - 1805
RN Ass' Surgeon - at Sea - 1805
RN Physician - at Sea - 1805
Angled Stock Version
After this issue a Surgeon
will use the same design
as a captains button
In use 1805 - 1825
RN Surgeon - at Sea - 1805
RN Ass' Surgeon - at Sea - 1805
RN Physician - at Sea - 1805
Straight Stock Version
After this issue a Surgeon
will use the same design
as a captains button
In use 1805 - 1825

RN Surgeon - at Sea - 1805 RN Surgeon - Hospital - 1805 RN Master - 1805 RN Flag Officer - 1807 Govenor RN Hospitals
RN Ass' Surgeon - at Sea - 1805 RN Ass'Surgeon - Hospital - 1805 In use 1805 - 1807 In use 1807 - 1812 Lt Gov' RN Hosp' Greenwich
RN Physician - at Sea - 1805 RN Physician - Hospital - 1805 Note: Anchors to side of stock In Gilt Lt Gov' RN Colleges
Straight Stock Version RN Mates - Hospital - 1805 In use 1814 - 1828
After this issue a Surgeon etc. RN Dispensers - Hospital - 1805 In Gilt
will use the same design After this issue a Surgeon etc.
as a captains button will use the same design
In use 1805 - 1825 as a captains button
In use 1805 - 1825

When the Merchant Navy started to use the fouled anchor design, a crown was added to all naval
officers buttons, starting in 1812. This same basic design remains in use today.
 Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.
Royal Navy - Buttons of Rank Page 03

RN Master - 1807-1825
RN Ass't Master - 1807-1825
RN Volunteer Gr.II - 1824-1825
In use 1807 - 1825
In Gilt
Note: Anchors below stock
RN Master - 1807-1825 RN Purser - 1807 RN Purser - 1807 RN Unidentified - 1807
RN Ass't Master - 1807-1825 In use 1807 - 1825 In use 1807 - 1825 In use 1807 - 1825 ?
RN Volunteer Gr.II - 1824-1825 In Gilt In Gilt In Gilt
In use 1807 - 1825
In Gilt
Note: Anchors below stock

RN Commissioners of RN Commissioners of RN Flag Officer - 1812 RN Flag Officer - 1812

Transport - 1810
RN Govenor RNH & A - 1810
(Govenor RN Hospitals and
Asylums )
In use 1810 - 1828
The Navy - 1810 Left Leaning Stock Left Leaning Stock
In use 1810 - 1828 In use 1812 - 1827 In use 1812 - 1827
In Gilt

RN Capt / Commander - 1812 RN Capt / Commander - 1812 RN Capt / Commander - 1812 RN Master - 1812
RN Lieutenant - 1812 RN Lieutenant - 1812 RN Lieutenant - 1812 In use 1812 - 1825
RN Midshipman - 1812 RN Midshipman - 1812 RN Midshipman - 1812

RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1812 RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1812 RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1812

After this issue a Midshipman After this issue a Midshipman After this issue a Midshipman

will use the same design will use the same design will use the same design

as a captains button as a captains button as a captains button

In use 1812 - 1825 In use 1812 - 1825 In use 1812 - 1825

RN Purser - 1812 RN Petty Officer - 1812
In use 1812 - 1825 In use 1812 - 1843
In 1843 the crown changed to
a the higher arched QVC
and was used until 1893
Notice no rope border
RN Capt / Commander - 1825
RN Lieutenant - 1825
RN Midshipman - 1825
In use 1825 - 1827
RN Capt / Commander - 1825 RN Capt / Commander - 1825
RN Lieutenant - 1825 RN Lieutenant - 1825
RN Midshipman - 1825 RN Midshipman - 1825
In use 1825 - 1827 In use 1825 - 1827
Variation Type 1 Variation Type 2
 Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.
Royal Navy - Buttons of Rank Page 04

RN Surgeon - 1825
Straight Stock Version
After this issue a Surgeon
will use the same design
as a captains button
In use 1825 - 1827
RN Surgeon - 1825 RN Master - 1825 RN Purser - 1825 RN Navigation Branch - 1825
Variation 1 After this issue a Master After this issue a Purser In use 1825 - 1832
After this issue a Surgeon will use the same design will use the same design In Gilt
will use the same design as a captains button as a captains button
as a captains button In use 1825 - 1827 In use 1825 - 1827
In use 1825 - 1827

RN Medical Branch - 1825
In use 1825 - 1832
In Gilt
RN Flag Officer - 1827 RN Flag Officer - 1827 RN Capt / Commander - 1827 RN Govenor RNH & A - 1827
Right Leaning Stock Right Leaning Stock RN Master - 1832 (Govenor RN Hospitals and
In use 1827 - 1843 Var' Nº 2 RN Surgeon - 1832 Asylums )
In use 1827 - 1843 RN Purser - 1832 In use 1828 - 1832
In Gilt RN Midshipman - 1832
In use 1825 - 1843

Lt Gov' RN Hosp' Greenwich RN Commissioners of
Lt Gov' RN Colleges
Right Leaning Stock
In use 1828 - 1843
In Gilt
RN Flag Officer - 1843
The Navy - 1828
In use 1828 - 1832
RN Flag Officer - 1843 RN Capt / Commander - 1843
In use 1843 - 1891 In use 1843 - 1891 RN Master - 1843
In Gilt In Gilt RN Surgeon - 1843
RN Purser - 1843
RN Midshipman - 1843
RN Warrant Officer - 1843
After this issue a Warrant
Officer will use the same
design as a captains button
In use 1843 - 1891
 Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.
Royal Navy - Buttons of Rank Page 05

RN Petty Officer - 1843
In use 1843 - 1891
Notice no rope border
No maker's Name
RN Flag Officer - 1891
In use 1891 - 1901
In Gilt
RN Flag Officer - 1891 RN Capt/ Commander - 1891
In use 1891 - 1901 RN Lietenant - 1891
In Gilt RN Master - 1891
RN Surgeon - 1891
RN Purser - 1891
RN Warrant Officer - 1891
RN Midshipman - 1891
After this issue all officers
with ranks lower than a captain
will be referred to as the
" Other Ship's Officers "
In use 1891 - 1901
RN Capt/ Commander - 1891
RN Lietenant - 1891
RN Master - 1891
RN Surgeon - 1843
RN Purser - 1891
RN Warrant Officer - 1891
RN Midshipman - 1891
After this issue all officers
with ranks lower than a captain
will be referred to as the
" Other Ship's Officers "
In use 1891 - 1901

RN Petty Officer - 1891 RN Petty Officer - 1891 RN Flag Officer - 1901 RN Flag Officer - 1901 RNCapt / Commander - 1901
In use 1891 - 1901 In use 1891 - 1901 In use 1901 - 1952 In use 1901 - 1953 Other Ship's Officers - 1901
Gilded Brass material Black Bakelite Material In use 1901 - 1952
No Maker's Mark on rear

RN Cap't / Commander - 1901 RN Cap't / Commander - 1901 RN Petty Officer - 1901 RN Flag Officer - 1953 RN Capt / Commander - 1953
Other Ship's Officers - 1901 Other Ship's Officers - 1901 In use 1901 - 1952 In use 1952 - Current Other Ship's Officers - 1953
In use 1901 - 1952 Variation Type Other Ship's Officers - 1953
In use 1901 - 1952 In use 1952 - Current

Miscellaneous - " Coast Guard "

H.M. Coast Guard H.M. Coast Guard H.M. Coast Guard

O/R's Button O/R's Button Officer's Button
In use 1770 - 1820 ? In use 1820 - 1836 ? In use 1836 - 1881 ?
 Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.
Miscellaneous - " A " Page 06

Admiralty Civil Police R.N.A.S. R.N.A.S. R.N.A.S. R.N.A.V.

In use 1940 - 1949 RN Air Service RN Air Service RN Air Service RN Artillery Volunteers - 1873
became the Admiralty In use WWI In use WWI In use WWI In use 1873 - 1901
Constabulary in 1949 Officers LHS Shldr Button Officers Tunic Button Officers Tunic Button Officers Tunic Button
Officers RHS Shldr Button

Misc' - " A " Cont'd Misc' - " C "

R.N.A.V. Cinque Ports Pilot Cinque Ports Vol's (Artillery) Corps of Sea Fencibles ?
RN Artillery Volunteers - 1873 In use 1800 - 1890s ? In use 1837 - 1890s ? ( Coastal Home Guard )
In use 1873 - 1901 In use 1798 - 1820 ?
Officers Tunic Button

Miscellaneous - " Canals " Miscellaneous - " E "

UK - Britain UK - Britain UK - Britain UK - Britain

Glaoucester & Berkeley Bridgewater & Taunton RN Engineer 1st Class RN Engineer 2nd/3rd Class
Canal Cº Ltd. Canal Cº Ltd. In use 1841 - 1853 In use 1842 - 1853
Canal Operating Staff Canal Operating Staff
In use 1827 - 1980s In use 1827 - 1980s

Miscellaneous - " F " Miscellaneous - " HMS "

Fleet Air Arm Fleet Air Arm

Pilot Officer's Button Observer Officer's Button
 In use 1939 - 1952 In use 1939 - 1952

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Miscellaneous - " H " Page 07

RN Half Pay Officer - 1812 RN Half Pay Officer - 1825 RN Half Pay Officer - 1827 RN Half Pay Officer - 1841 RN Her Majesties Colonial Navy
( Pre-R.N.R. ) ( Pre-R.N.R. ) ( Pre-R.N.R. ) ( Pre-R.N.R. )
In use 1812 - 1825 In use 1825 - 1827 In use 1827 - 1840 In use 1841 - 1858 In use 1953 - 1960s

Miscellaneous - " HMS "

HMS Idefatigable - RNTS HMS Worcester - TNTC
Seaman's Training Ship 2nd Issue Version
In use 1914 - 1941 Thames Naut' Train' College
RN/MN Officers Train' Ship
In use 1900 - 1980s
HMS Victory HMS Victory
Unidentified Button Unidentified Button
In use 1806 - 1812 ? Adm' Lord Horatio Nelson
8/1/1797 - Battle of the Nile
In use 1797 - 1798
HMS Victory
Unidentified Button
In use 1837 - 1901 ?

Miscellaneous - " HMTS "

H.M.T.S. HMTS Conway
Her Majesties Training Ship RN/MN Officers Train' Ship
In use 1837 - 1880s Made - Sallors Home, L'pool
In use 1880 - 1900
HMTS Conway
RN/MN Officers Train' Ship
Made - Sallors Home, L'pool
In use 1901 - 1974 ?
HMS Worcester - TNTC
2nd Issue Version
Thames Naut' Train' College
RN/MN Officers Train' Ship
In use 1900 - 1980s
HMS Victory
Unidentified Button
In use 1806 - 1812 ?

Misc' - " G "

RN Greenwich Hospital RN Greenwich Hospital RN Greenwich Hospital Service RN Greenwich Hospital Service RN Greenwich Hospital
 O/R's Hospital Staff Tunic O/R's Hospital Staff Tunic Officer's Hospital Staff Tunic Officer's Hospital Staff Tunic O/R's Hospital Staff Tunic
Button - ( H. G. Error ) Button - ( Error Corrected ) Button Button Button
In use 1800 - 1814 In use 1800 - 1814 In use 1800 - 1815 In use 1814 - 1868 In use 1814 - 1869

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Misc' - " G " Page 08

RN Greenwich Nautical
Training College ?
Instructor's Button
In use 1939 - 1945 ?

Miscellaneous - " Lighthouses "

Trinity House Trinity House Trinity House Trinity House

UK Lighthouse Authoruty UK Lighthouse Authoruty UK Lighthouse Authoruty UK Lighthouse Authoruty
Elder Bretheren's Button Elder Bretheren's Button Pilot's Tunic Button General Employee
In use 1900 - 1980s ? In use 1900 - 1980s ? In use 1900 - 1930s In use 1930 - 1960s ?
"Trinitas in Unitate" "Trinitas in Unitate" "Trinity House Pilot" "Trinitas in Unitate"

Misc' - " L "

London River Sea Fencibles

( Coastal Home Guard )
In use 1798 - 1820 ?

Misc' - " M "

 RN Mufti Jacket - 1850
( Civilian Jacket )
In use 1850 - 1881 ?

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Misc' - " N " Page 09

RN Naval Articifers Association

In use 1850 - 1881 ?

Miscellaneous - " P "

RN Polo Assoc RN Prison - Bodmin RN Prison - Lewes RN Prison - Lewes

In use 1899 - 1951 Prison Officer's Tunic Button Prison Officer's Tunic Button Prison Officer's Tunic Button
Similar to MN Button In use 1902-1927 In use 1837-1901 In use 1902-1927

Miscellaneous - " RFA "

RN - R.F.A.
RN - Royal Fleet Auxiliary
In use 1953 - Current

Miscellaneous - " R.M. " Miscellaneous - " R.M.A. "

ROYAL MARINES ROYAL MARINE ARTILLERY ROYAL MARINE ARTILLERY

 This button dates 1833 - 1881 This button dates 1837 - 1901 This button dates 1912 - 1922
Maker = Chas Jennings, Lon.

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Miscellaneous - " RNH " Page 10

RN - R.N.H. RN - R.N.H. RN - R.N.H. RN - R.N.H.

RN - Royal Navy Hospitals RN - Royal Navy Hospitals RN - Royal Navy Hospitals RN - Royal Navy Hospitals
O/R's Tunic Button Officer's Tunic Buttons O/R's Tunic Button Officer's Tunic Buttons
In use 1820 - 1849 In use 1850 - 1901 In use 1902 - 1952 ? In use 1902 - 1952 ?

Miscellaneous - " RNPS "

RN - Packet Service RN - Packet Service RN - Packet Service RN - Packet Service RN - Packet Service
( Mail & Supplies Delivery ) ( Mail & Supplies Delivery ) ( Mail & Supplies Delivery ) ( Mail & Supplies Delivery ) ( Mail & Supplies Delivery )
In use 1800 - 1818 ? In use 1818 - 1829 ? In use 1830 - 1836 ? In use 1837 - 1852 ? In use 1837 - 1852 ?

Miscellaneous - " RNR "

RN - R.N.R. RN - R.N.R. RN - R.N.R.

RN - Royal Navy Reserve RN - Royal Navy Reserve RN - Royal Navy Reserve
In use 1859 - 1901 In use 1902 - 1952 In use 1953 - Current

Miscellaneous - " RNSC "

 R.N.V.R.
RN - Staff College
( Instructor )
Made by - Gaunt, London
In use 1940 - 1998

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Miscellaneous - " RNVR " Page 11

R.N.V.R. R.N.V.R.
Royal Naval Volunteers Royal Naval Volunteers
( Reserve ) ( Reserve )
In use 1901 - 1952 In use 1901 - 1952

Miscellaneous - " RNVR "

R.N.V.R. R.N.V.R.
Royal Naval Volunteers Royal Naval Volunteers
( Reserve ) ( Reserve )
In use 1901 - 1952 In use 1901 - 1952

Miscellaneous - " S " Miscellaneous - " T "

R.N.S.C.S. R.N. Training Unit ?

R.N. 7th Cruiser Squadron
North Sea - Cr' Force "C"
In use 1914 - 1918 In use 1901 - 1952 ?

Miscellaneous - " w "

 UK - Britain
War Office Steam Packet Cº
Renamed Bristol S.N.Cº
In use 1821 - 1836

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy & Misc.

Miscellaneous - " Wireles & Telegraph " Page 12

UK - Britain
Post Office - Telegraph
Ship's Telegraph Officer
In use 1912 - 1950s