Military Buttons

Collecting the buttons from military uniforms is often a very active hobby due to the unique nature of military buttons. On a military coat, a button was often decorative as well as function.

Military buttons will often reference a military’s nation of origin, and the soldier’s station. Military buttons are unique from military to military, and even from service to service within a nation. For example, navy buttons will often have ropes and anchors.

Quick Facts

• The United States Marine Corps dress blues button features the oldest emblem of service with the United States military
• Buttons made from seashells were uncovered from archaeological digs from as far back as 2,000 BC.
• In the U.S. Army, commanders often knew where soldiers were from based on the unique decorations on their buttons