Material: Brass
Size: 20mm
Description: The face of the button features a finely detailed raised relief of Queen Victoria's imperial crown centered inside a matching circular border. Deeply stamped into the surrounding garter band is the regiment's title reading "IMPERIAL YEOMANRY" in clean, bold capital lettering. Measuring 20mm in diameter, this tunic-sized component exhibits a distinct two-piece construction with a slightly domed outer face pressed over a sturdy metal backing.
Reverse: The reverse face centers around a stout, self-contained wire eyelet loop that was brazed or pressed into the brass backplate during manufacturing. Encircling the shank is a deeply stamped, circular inscription that reads "• PITT & CO • 31 MADDOX ST LONDON W" in crisp serif lettering. This 20mm backing consists of a flat plate of yellow brass alloy crimped tightly beneath the rolled rim of the button's front face shell. The layout ensures maximum durability under structural tension while providing clear, unequivocal authentication marks for supply inspectors and tailors alike.
Circa: 1899-1901
Notes:
The Imperial Yeomanry was specifically created in late 1899 to recruit skilled civilian horsemen for frontline service against Boer commandos, making this particular "generic" crown pattern highly prized for representing the initial waves of national mobilization. The manufacturer's backmark provides fantastic dating precision for collectors because Charles Pitt & Co. operated out of their iconic Maddox Street address from late 1895 until the mid-20th century. Because this universal insignia layout was rapidly replaced by county-specific regiment designs starting around late 1901, examples with clean, crisp stamping and intact rear shanks remain popular targets for Boer War specialists.
Charles Pitt & Company originally operated out of 50 St. Martin's Lane before relocating to 31 Maddox Street in 1895, making the presence of the number "31" a highly valuable diagnostic tool for dating buttons to the turn of the century. The inclusion of the "W" postal code directly aligns with the prestigious Mayfair district, cementing this piece as an upscale West End manufacture rather than a mass-produced provincial issue.