12th January 2021

British India Steam Navigation Company

From Australian National Maritime Museum collection.

Lasting from 1862-1971, this was one of the largest shipping companies of all time. The company owned more than 500 ships and managed 150 more for other owners. At its height in 1922, British India Steam Navigation Company had more than 160 ships in the fleet. The shipping routes included Britain to India, Australia, Kenya and Tanganyika, as well as services from India.  From 1914 it was a subsidiary of P&O, being absorbed in October 1971.

 

Australian made trouser buttons

I have not been able to ascertain who “BN” was. They may have been a metal products factory, rather than button manufactures per se.

The West Australian (Perth), 27th August 1940 page 11.