NZEF buttons

[AndyMacdonald]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if there is any known differences between the NZEF brass southern cross buttons used in WW1 and WW2? These are the ones with New Zealand Forces written around the face, plus the southern cross constellation.

Are there any makers known to have produced NZEF buttons only during WW1?

Best

Andy M

[auchonvillerssomme]

I don't know if I can fully answer but this button was found by me in Beamont Hamel the maker is Stokes & Sons Melb.... hard to read th rest but is likely to be -

'STOKES & SONS / MELBOURNE'.

[Wendy Macpherson]

This button was first issued in 1895 and simply called the 'New Zealand Volunteer' button, with the words New Zealand Volunteer around the outer edge and the southern cross in the center. It was worn through to 1911 when it was changed to New Zealand Forces, the button that you refer to, that same button was worn through both WW1 and WW2 . During WW2 this same button was also available in black bakelite, which was handy because you didnt have to blacken them for war like the brass buttons. In 1954 they became anodised.

All of the New Zealand Forces brass buttons I have collected have been made by J.R Caunt & Son, London England, a few of my other New Zealand Corp buttons were made by Stokes & Son, Melbourne.

http://www.diggerhis.../nz-buttons.htm

Regards Wendy