RN - RCN - Dating Naval Officer's Tunic Button

by Tim Burt - 8/13/2006
 

     Right exiting rope                                                                                                         Left exiting rope

One way to date Royal Navy & Royal Canadian Navy tunic buttons, is to look at the fouled anchor rope and note which side of the shank that it exits. Left or Right.

Below is a list of British Monarchs and the matching left or right ropes. It can be used to dates periods when the button was made. Example, Queen Victoria, (right), and Queen Elizabeth II, (left).

Queen Victoria           -    Right Exiting

King Edward VII       -    Left Exiting

King George V          -    Right Exiting

King Edward VIII     -    Left Exiting - (very few, if any, issued).

King George VI        -    Right Exiting

Queen Elizabeth II   -    Left Exiting

Now please remember, nothing is "Carved in Rock", you will find some exceptions to the rule. I haven't figured out these scarce QEII variations yet, but I will.

The tradition of " Left " - " Right " started with coinage, most portrait coins of Edward VIII are fantasy coins. Again, the exception to the rule, most Edward VIII coins, face left, (by orders of the King).

The tough nut to date is Georges V & VI, because Edward VIII was between them. If you ar lucky, the back-mark may help you.

Now go find those RN Edward VII buttons, (for Canada, it will be the Dep't of Marine & Fisheries).

Please let me know if you have one, I'd like to get a decent picture of the maker's back-mark. If you can help me, please contact me at info@hamwichouse.com