Uniform buttons

Edward VII and George V versions of NSW Railways Buttons: 1902-1910 and 1910-1936

Backmark: Anderson Sydney British Make. Approx 23mm diametre.

Backmark: Anderson Sydney British Make. Approx 17mm diametre.

See http://www.austbuttonhistory.com/uniform-buttons-2/uniform-buttons/

Western Australian Government Railways

Kings crown dates this from 1913 (when Sheridan’s stared) until 1952.

Backmark: Sheridan Perth (hard to read).

The shank is unusual for an Australian uniform button. Most two-piece buttons in my collection have the ends of the wire loop piercing the back, then either soldered in place for a ‘fast shank’ or left loose for a ‘drop’ shank. In this the loop has has ‘feet’ soldered in place on the outer surface of the back plate.

In 1890 the Department of Works and Railways was split in two, with the formation of the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR). In 1914 the name was changed to West Australian Government Railways and Tramways. After several more name changes, it again became WAGR from 1949 until 1975 when the trading name became Westrail, although the official name was still WAGR. Perhaps this button dates from 1949-1952, as the 2 holes in the back plate seem to date from c.1950?