Diana's Buttons - Reference - British Navy Buttons

Home

British Button Article

British Button Backmarks

British Navy 1

General Button Article

Email Diana

Reference Information

Buttons of the UK's Royal Navy

This reference material compiled and copyright © by Tim Burt, Hamwic House, PO Box 895, Elora, Ontario, Canada, N0B 1S0. It is reprinted here with permission. Please feel free to write or email Tim if you have additional information to add!

Royal Navy Buttons of Rank

At First, Pre-1774 buttons consisted of a plain white metal, (pewter), or later with a rose or rose-like device in the center.


RN Flag Officier - 1748 In Pewter or Silver In Use 1748-1787	RN Captain/Commander - 1748 RN Lieutanant - 1748 RN Midshipman - 1748 In Use 1748-1774	RN Lieutenant - 1748 (Undress) In Pewter or Silver In Use 1748-1774	RN Lieutenant - pre-1748 (Hand Engraved Version) In Pewter or Silver In Use 1748-1774

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


RN Capt/Commander - 1774 RN Master - 1787 RN Surgeon - 1787 RN Purser - 1787 RN Warrant Officer - 1787 RN Midshipman - 1787 In Use 1774-1787	RN Capt/Commander - 1774 Variation In Use 1774-1787	RN RN Flag Officier - 1787 In Use 1787-1812	RN Capt/Commander - 1787 RN Lieutanant - 1787 After this issue, Lieutenant will use same design as Captain's Button. In Use 1787-1795	RN Capt/Commander - 1795 RN Lieutanant - 1795 In Use 1795-1812


RN Surgeon At Sea - 1805 After this issue, a Surgeon will use same design as a Captain's Button. In Use 1805-1812	RN Surgeon At Sea - 1805 After this issue, a Surgeon will use same design as a Captain's Button. Variation In Use 1805-1812	RN Surgeon In Hospital - 1805 After this issue, a Surgeon will use same design as a Captain's Button. In Use 1805-1812	RN Master - 1805 In Use 1805-1812	RN Purser - 1807 In Use 1807-1812

When the Merchant Navy started to use the fouled anchor design, a crown was added to all naval officiers buttons, starting in 1812. This same basic design remains in use today.


RN Flag Officier - 1812 In Use 1812-1825	RN Lieutanant - 1812 RN Midshipman - 1812 After this issue, a Midshipman will use same design as a Captain's Button. In Use 1812-1825	RN Master - 1812 In Use 1812-1825	RN Purser - 1812 In Use 1812-1825	RN Petty Officier - 1812 Notice no rope border In Use 1812-1843


RN Capt/Commander - 1825 RN Lieutenant - 1825 RN Midshipman - 1825 In Use 1825-1827	RN Master - 1825 After this issue, a Master will use same design as a Captain's Button. In Use 1825-1827	RN Purser - 1825 After this issue, a Purser will use same design as a Captain's Button. In Use 1825-1827	RN Flag Officer - 1825 In Use 1825-1843


RN Capt/Commander - 1827 RN Master - 1832 RN Surgeon - 1832 RN Purser - 1832 RN Midshipman - 1832 In Use 1825-1843	RN Flag Officer - 1843 In Use 1843-1891	RN Capt/Commander - 1843 RN Master - 1843 RN Surgeon - 1843 RN Purser - 1843 RN Midshipman - 1843 RN Warrant Off. - 1843 After this issue, a Warrant Officer will use same design as Captain. In Use 1843-1891	RN Petty Officer - 1843 No Maker's Name Notice no rope border In Use 1843-1891


RN Flag Officer - 1891 In Use 1891-1901	RN Capt/Commander - 1891 RN Lieutenant - 1891 RN Master - 1891 RN Surgeon - 1891 RN Purser - 1891 RN Midshipman - 1891 RN Warrant Off. - 1891 After this issue, all officers with ranks lower than Captain, will be referred to as "Other Ship's Officers. In Use 1891-1901	RN Capt/Commander - 1891 RN Lieutenant - 1891 RN Master - 1891 RN Surgeon - 1891 RN Purser - 1891 RN Midshipman - 1891 RN Warrant Off. - 1891 After this issue, all officers with ranks lower than Captain, will be referred to as "Other Ship's Officers. Actual Button Shown In Use 1891-1901	RN Petty Officer - 1891 No Maker's Name Black Bakelite material In Use 1891-1901	RN Petty Officer - 1891 No Maker's Name Gilded Brass material In Use 1891-1901


RN Flag Officer - 1902 In Use 1901-1952	RN Flag Officer - 1902 Actual button example In Use 1901-1953	RN Capt/Commander - 1901 Other Ship's Officers - 1901 In Use 1901-1952	RN Capt/Commander - 1901 Other Ship's Officers - 1901 In Use 1901-1952


RN Capt/Commander - 1901 Other Ship's Officers - 1901 Variation Type In Use 1901-1952	RN Petty Officer - 1901 In Use 1901-1952	RN Flag Officer - 1953 In use 1952-current	RN Capt/Commander - 1953 Other Ship's Officers - 1953 In Use 1952-current

British Naval Buttons continued on Page 2!

Go to British Navy Buttons 2

Home

British Button Article

British Button Backmarks

British Navy 1

General Button Article

Email Diana

Free counters provided by Andale.

Copyright © 2000-2006 by Diana Hefti and Tim Burt

Last updated 1/1/06