Material: Dark phenolic plastic
Size: 20 mm
Description: This highly domed, spherical "ball" style uniform vestment button measures 20mm in diameter and is molded from a dense, matte grey-black injection-molded thermo-plastic or early Bakelite composite. The front face features a sharply molded, raised design consisting of a classic strung bugle horn (the traditional horn with a knotted cord tied to it) sitting directly beneath a prominent imperial Tudor Crown, or King's Crown. The central motif is grounded against an intricately lined, horizontal-ribbed background field designed to reduce surface glare. The reverse is typically constructed with an integrated, self-molded plastic shank loop or a firmly anchored metal loop wire designed to be fastened tightly onto thick wool field tunics, overalls, or cold-weather greatcoats.
Circa: 1940–1952
Notes:
Prior to 1941, light infantry personnel wore beautiful, polished white-metal or silver-plated buttons manufactured by historic workshops. However, as the Battle of the Atlantic intensified, the British Ministry of Supply strictly banned the use of copper, brass, and zinc for non-essential uniform trim to redirect all raw metal stockpiles directly toward ammunition shell casings and aircraft production.
This transition led to the birth of the famous British Economy Issues. Everything from cap badges and shoulder titles to tunic buttons across the Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy was temporarily switched to molded plastic, vegetable ivory, or pressurized horn composites.