British Empire WW1 Soldier's Button

History of the Artifact

During World War I, the standard British Army military button commonly bore the royal coat of arms, prominently featuring both the lion and the unicorn. This design was not unique to wartime, having roots deep in British military tradition, yet it was widely visible during the Great War as thousands of soldiers wore uniforms adorned with these iconic symbols. The button, typically made of brass and convex in shape, would have been attached to the tunics of enlisted men and officers alike, instantly connecting each soldier’s attire to the institution of the Crown and the broader symbolism of Britain’s constitutional monarchy.

The presence of the lion and unicorn on the button stems from their integral role in the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The lion, often a symbol associated with bravery, nobility, and England itself, stands to one side, while the unicorn, representing Scotland, supports the other. Together, these two creatures reflect the union of the British Isles under the monarchy. Below them sits a shield quartered to represent England, Scotland, and Ireland, framed by mottos such as “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (the motto of the Order of the Garter) and “Dieu et mon droit” (the monarch’s traditional motto, meaning “God and my right”). All these elements combined created a potent emblem, asserting unity and loyalty in a time of unprecedented global conflict.

How do I know these are original WW1 Buttons?

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

What will my artifact look like?

Your WW1 British Button will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Your order will include:

• One authentic WW1 British Soldier's Uniform Button, as pictured
• Elegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact 
• Certificate of Authenticity

Ancient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. Read more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.