Royal Navy, Officer’s 22mm gilt button of the 1795-1812 period

The attractively simple pattern of a flat gilt 22mm 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. It is not until after 1812 that the crown begins to appear above the anchor.  We believe this size was worn by Captains. We had one other button of the same pattern but it was a little smaller and apparently wornby commanders.   sep16/1