Royal Navy, Officer’s 21mm gilt button of the 1795-1812 period

The attractively simple pattern of a flat gilt 21mm button was worn by officers at the time of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, 1795-1812. The design of the fouled anchor in plain gilt against a lined oval background within another plain area is highly effective. Rope edges mark the oval and the outer edge of the button. The backmark has a decorative design with the Prince of Wales style feathers and LONDON . The feathers, which we usually aassociate with buttons by Jennens, was a sort of quality mark used by earlier companies such as C. & R. Smith. The button retains virtually the full original gilt finish with just a little rubbing on the outer area at around 9 o’clock. It is not until after 1812 that the crown begins to appear above the anchor.  We believe this size was worn by Commanders. sep5/1