Silver Musketball buttons: Aye of Nae?

**Good Egg** · 23rd January 09, 10:58 AM

A mucker has suggested silver musket ball buttons for use on my PC jacket and weskit.

I quite like the idea but some questions:

Would they look good?

Would they be too heavy?

I am a military gentleman, but I don't fire a musket, plus there are units who wear musket balls on their uniforms (and blazers) might I appear to be stealing their glory?

**macwilkin** · 23rd January 09, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

A mucker has suggested silver musket ball buttons for use on my PC jacket and weskit.

I quite like the idea but some questions:

Would they look good?

Would they be too heavy?

I am a military gentleman, but I don't fire a musket, plus there are units who wear musket balls on their uniforms (and blazers) might I appear to be stealing their glory?

Which units would those be?

Todd

**puffer** · 23rd January 09, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

A mucker has suggested silver musket ball buttons for use on my PC jacket and weskit.

I quite like the idea but some questions:

Would they look good?

Would they be too heavy?

I am a military gentleman, but I don't fire a musket, plus there are units who wear musket balls on their uniforms (and blazers) might I appear to be stealing their glory?

INTERESTING. I do "fire" Muskets (as well as rifles & pistols) so I pulled out a "few" of my "ROUND BALLS" ( .45 cal (pistol rifle cal.s to .75 cal (musket cal.) Here is my "take"
1. True "musket balls" are cast from soft pure LEAD.
A. Even though when "freshly cast & polished, they are shinny, they OXIDIZE RAPIDLY.
B. Lead would stain your clothing.
C. Therefor, you would have to cast them in Pewter,German Silver or Silver.

2. Weight ?? ( based on them not being LEAD)The smaller buttons (.45, .50, .52) would not be overly heavy. But the LARGER buttons ( .60 - .75) would be "weighty"

3. LOOKS = IMHO,
A. NO LEAD round balls!!
B. Round Balls on a PC would "cheapen" the look.
C. 1/2 round would look GREAT. (there are a number of makers who cast 1/2 rounds

Puffer

**JSFMACLJR** · 23rd January 09, 11:56 AM

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

**Howard Clark** · 23rd January 09, 11:57 AM

Half round and hollow form, from thin sterling sheet then soldered together, I would think. Else they will be quite heavy, in any kind of metal. That weight of course depending on diameter, metal choice, and sheet thickness.

It is do-able but would be expensive. Near anything can be done of one wants to allocate the resources and time, in whatever combination one is able.

**Nervous Jock** · 23rd January 09, 12:11 PM

RHA wear ball buttons on their rig IIRC, providing no regimental crest is shown I see no issue
http://www.kellybadge.co.uk/images/J1M314.jpg

**macwilkin** · 23rd January 09, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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

Todd

**Good Egg** · 23rd January 09, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Which units would those be?

Todd

As mentioned above RHA and I sure one of the pre-amalgamation Gurkha Regiments used to (black coloured) although I can't remember which one.

1/2 ball buttons would look like... buttons... so not much point. I'd be going for silver because it would patinate (or whatever the technical term is)

**Jock Scot** · 23rd January 09, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by 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

So have I and I must say I was jealous!

**Fougasse** · 24th January 09, 10:49 PM

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.