Royal Navy gilt button, Queen’s Crown (4-hole reverse), 23mm, original example of British naval uniform insignia associated with the Royal Navy.
Manufactured in gilt metal, this 23mm uniform button features the traditional fouled anchor surmounted by the St Edward’s Crown (Queen’s Crown), identifying it as the pattern worn during the reign of Elizabeth II between 1953 and 2022. Unlike the more commonly encountered shank-mounted examples, this button is fitted with a four-hole reverse, allowing it to be sewn directly onto garments for greater security and durability.
The fouled anchor has served as the principal emblem of the Royal Navy for centuries, symbolising Britain’s naval heritage and the traditions of one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished maritime services. Four-hole buttons of this pattern were used on a variety of naval garments, including working dress, ratings’ uniforms, specialist clothing, and items where a sewn button offered greater practicality than a shank fitting.
Throughout the Queen’s Crown period, the Royal Navy remained at the forefront of British defence, serving during the Cold War, the Falklands War, the Gulf conflicts, operations in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, anti-piracy patrols, and numerous NATO and humanitarian deployments. Sailors wearing buttons of this pattern served aboard aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, mine countermeasure vessels, and fleet auxiliaries across the globe.
Following the accession of Charles III in 2022, British military insignia began transitioning to designs incorporating the Tudor Crown, making Queen’s Crown examples representative of nearly seventy years of Royal Navy service under Queen Elizabeth II.
Original Royal Navy four-hole buttons are less frequently encountered than standard shank-mounted examples and are sought after by collectors of British naval uniforms, maritime memorabilia, and military insignia due to their distinctive construction and practical military application.
Manufactured in gilt metal with its original four-hole reverse fitting, this example represents an authentic and collectable piece of modern Royal Navy uniform history.
Dimensions
23mm diameter
Condition
Good overall original condition, with crisp detailing and an attractive gilt finish. Light age-related wear, minor surface marks, and signs of uniform use or storage may be present. The original four-hole reverse remains intact and undamaged. No significant dents, repairs, or structural damage evident.
