I have this in a larger size and assume it's WW2 German but these are small and connected in pairs, perhaps for an overcoat button. Any info is appreciated.

 

This is all the germandaggers.com page has on WW2 German navy buttons. https://www.germandaggers.com/Gallery/BT.php

 

Hi

 

Smaller buttons, that are connected, were usually used on dress gala javkets. These wouldn't have buttons sewn on, but rather cufflink-like buttons, that closed it. Though I have never seen bakelite ones. They are usually golden as far as I know... However, there are far more knowledgeable people here and this really isn't my field of "expertise", so I would wait for others to chime in  Hope you get some other answers

 

Cheers,

Jules

10 hours ago, McLenn2025 said:

Hi

 

Smaller buttons, that are connected, were usually used on dress gala javkets. These wouldn't have buttons sewn on, but rather cufflink-like buttons, that closed it. Though I have never seen bakelite ones. They are usually golden as far as I know... However, there are far more knowledgeable people here and this really isn't my field of "expertise", so I would wait for others to chime in  Hope you get some other answers

 

Cheers,

Jules

Like the mess jackets in the US.

15 hours ago, JohnKris said:

Like the mess jackets in the US.

Exactly! Though again, I have never seen bakelite black ones... But that doesn't mean, that they didn't exist and weren't worn :))

5 hours ago, McLenn2025 said:

Exactly! Though again, I have never seen bakelite black ones... But that doesn't mean, that they didn't exist and weren't worn :))

I posted these earlier. Same button, larger size. 

On 6/26/2026 at 2:18 AM, JohnKris said:

I posted these earlier. Same button, larger size. 

Huh, interesting. I have never seen ones like this :)) Are you sure, they are WW2, though? Could be 1920s or post WW2, too. Do they have any markings on the back maybe?

On 6/28/2026 at 1:05 AM, McLenn2025 said:

Huh, interesting. I have never seen ones like this :)) Are you sure, they are WW2, though? Could be 1920s or post WW2, too. Do they have any markings on the back maybe?

At this point, brother, I'd be happy to verify 100% which anchors come from which country's navy buttons. Maybe that's in one of those $400 books I can't afford.

 

But looking at German navy buttons, I'm pretty sure those are German navy anchors. And Bakelite buttons are generally WW2 items just like steel-backed buttons are WW2 and vegetable ivory buttons are from WW1. Also, I got the big buttons in a pile of WW2 stuff, for what that's worth. 

 

So I've come here hoping for some info from a knowledgeable collector. I know it's just buttons and not the fancy stuff but I appreciate your comment.

On 6/29/2026 at 10:15 PM, JohnKris said:

At this point, brother, I'd be happy to verify 100% which anchors come from which country's navy buttons. Maybe that's in one of those $400 books I can't afford.

 

But looking at German navy buttons, I'm pretty sure those are German navy anchors. And Bakelite buttons are generally WW2 items just like steel-backed buttons are WW2 and vegetable ivory buttons are from WW1. Also, I got the big buttons in a pile of WW2 stuff, for what that's worth. 

 

So I've come here hoping for some info from a knowledgeable collector. I know it's just buttons and not the fancy stuff but I appreciate your comment.

Yeah, I hope someone more knowledgeable will give their opinion. But I would not say, that they are "just" buttons :)) Everything holds historic value even buttons. And they are their own field, where there are rare or unusual ones and more common ones, that are interesting to collect on their own :))

 

They could very well be German. Usually, at least on the ones I have seen, there are markings on the back indicating the year and manufacturer. I agree, that bakelite mainly dates to the 1930s and 1940s, but even if they were from a later period, they still hold historic value. But did you test, that they are bakelite?

On 7/5/2026 at 2:54 AM, McLenn2025 said:

Yeah, I hope someone more knowledgeable will give their opinion. But I would not say, that they are "just" buttons :)) Everything holds historic value even buttons. And they are their own field, where there are rare or unusual ones and more common ones, that are interesting to collect on their own :))

 

They could very well be German. Usually, at least on the ones I have seen, there are markings on the back indicating the year and manufacturer. I agree, that bakelite mainly dates to the 1930s and 1940s, but even if they were from a later period, they still hold historic value. But did you test, that they are bakelite?

 

Right. Just buttons. That's the kind of stuff I can get my hands on so that's what I post about so I can contribute where I can. 

 

I have seen pictures of British buttons so similar I now think these are British. The enlisted navy buttons don't have a crown so I think British is the right answer. i still want a guide to each country's navy anchor design, though I'm sure each used several over the decades and fewer folks really collect navy. 

 

If you rub Formula 409 with a q-tip into a bakelite item, it leaves a mark.