Silver Musketball buttons: Aye of Nae?

[JSFMACLJR]

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver, they would be quite appropriate and valuable heirlooms. Too many "experts" think that buttons on doublets "must" be the ubiquitous diamond shaped ones.


Sandford

[macwilkin]

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver, they would be quite appropriate and valuable heirlooms. Too many "experts" think that buttons on doublets "must" be the ubiquitous diamond shaped ones.


Sandford

Ironically I was just thinking of those stylish salmon buttons...

Todd

[Jock Scot]

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver, they would be quite appropriate and valuable heirlooms. Too many "experts" think that buttons on doublets "must" be the ubiquitous diamond shaped ones.


Sandford

So have I and I must say I was jealous!

[Fougasse]

I would agree with Jock Scot, JSFMACLJR and others above. In the British military I have seen buttons of every shape/size/colour/metal and all with their own pedigree. Don't forget that standardisation is a relatively modern phenomenom and garments and their accroutements where subject to a greater amount of personal taste in the past.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver, they would be quite appropriate and valuable heirlooms. Too many "experts" think that buttons on doublets "must" be the ubiquitous diamond shaped ones.


Sandford

Here, Here!

[Carolina Kiltman]

Just a caveat here, Silver turns black very quickly, especially in the presence of sulphur. The best thing would be to polish them, and let them start to tarnish (maybe fasten them to a piece of wood and run them through several cycles of the dishwasher?) then coat them with clear lacquer.) That plus the weight would be my only concern.

IMHO they would look great!

[Good Egg]

Just a caveat here, Silver turns black very quickly, especially in the presence of sulphur. The best thing would be to polish them, and let them start to tarnish (maybe fasten them to a piece of wood and run them through several cycles of the dishwasher?) then coat them with clear lacquer.) That plus the weight would be my only concern.

IMHO they would look great!

Nae, nae, and thrice nae. I've seen people do that with medals. It doesn't look right anyway and after a few years the lacquer will start to yellow. You just let them tarnish and polish them from time to time.. I have an argyle with brass buttons as well as uniforms that need polishing. Polish always looks better than staybright or gloss paint or heaven forfend patent leather (the devil's leather)

[Nanook]

I have seen buttons on a doublet that were round balls, certainly. I wouldn't think they would be at all odd; in fact, if they were made of silver,

My wife's-- since it fits her--- near antique (close but not yet 100 years old) coatee from Wm Anderson & Sons (Kinloch Anderson) has sterling silver balls for buttons.
There is a long tradition of fine clothing getting silver, gold or even gem stones for buttons. This, in turn, goes back to a more ancient tradition where people literally wore part of their wealth. Once upon a time one really could tell the class and background of a man by his/her clothing--- and if that was not sufficient laws were even enacted (sumptuariae leges or consumption laws) to assure not only who could wear what and how but also what bits of their body could be exposed (by not wearing something).