Material: Dark phenolic plastic
Size: 20 mm
Description: This original military artifact is a standard-issue "ball-type" uniform button manufactured out of a dense, molded plastic composite. The convex face features a highly detailed, embossed light infantry bugle horn adorned with traditional suspension strings and a decorative bow knot. Suspended directly above the loop of the bugle strings is the Tudor Crown, universally designated by military historians as the King's Crown (KC). The central design is set against a finely textured, horizontally lined background field that helps minimize light reflection on active service gear.
Circa: 1940–1945
Notes:
This button represents a fascinating phase of wartime manufacturing known to militaria collectors as the "Plastic Economy" or "Bakelite" issue era. As the Battle of Britain escalated during World War II, the British Ministry of Supply faced critical shortages of strategic metals like brass, copper, and zinc, which were desperately diverted to ammunition and aircraft factories. To conserve resources, the military completely redesigned standard uniform hardware, shifting production over to early synthetic plastics like cellulose acetate and Bakelite. These non-reflective black and brown plastic fasteners were issued widely to infantry forces, including various rifle and light infantry regiments that traditionally utilized horn or blackened buttons. Following the conclusion of the war in 1945, the military immediately pivoted back to traditional stamped metal buttons, making these fragile composite issues short-lived markers of mid-century frontline austerity.