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Uniform Button Identification Guide

This is an identification guide for the different uniform buttons worn during the 3rd Reich period. Descriptions are taken from the Assmann and OLC catalogs but may have been used by other organizations. Pebble finish buttons were used by many NSDAP and State agencies. Buttons can be found with studs, screw posts, prongs, single loops, and double loops for attaching to the uniform. Studs, posts, and prongs are typically used on caps, visors, and to attach shoulder straps. Double loops are normally attached to the back of a tunic to support a belt. The buttons keep the belt from sagging when gear is attached. Some buttons were in use prior to the Third Reich period. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original pre-1945 manufacture. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact Vern@GermanDaggers.com.

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Heer Buttons


Buttons could be made of plated steel, nickle silver, zinc, or white metal. Depending on the maker, buttons can measure 9mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, or 25mm. Typically, 9mm or 12mm were used to retain shoulder straps, 12mm or 16mm were used on cuffs and pockets, 16mm or 18mm were used on field uniforms, 20mm on dress tunics, and 25mm on great coats. Buttons can be seen with numbers or Roman numerals identifying regiments or companies. This practice was a hold over from the Imperial Army but was soon discontinued due to security concerns. The Wehrmach Eagle button for uniforms was quickly discontinued but can occasionally be found made into cuff links.



Wehrmach Eagle Button


Silver Pebbled for officers/enlisted


Gold Pebbled for Generals/Field Marshalls


Feldgray Pebbled for field uniforms


Roman Numeral for Regiments


Numbers for Companies








Luftwaffe Buttons


Buttons could be made of aluminum, nickle silver, zinc, or white metal. Depending on the maker, buttons can measure 9mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, or 25mm. Typically, 9mm or 12mm were used to retain shoulder straps, 12mm or 16mm were used on cuffs and pockets, 16mm or 18mm were used on field uniforms, 20mm on dress tunics, and 25mm on great coats. The Luftwaffe Eagle button for uniforms was quickly discontinued but can occasionally be found made into cuff links.



Luftwaffe Eagle Button


Silver Pebbled for officers


Blue Pebbled for enlisted


Brown Pebbled for Tropical uniform


Kreigsmarine Buttons


Buttons could be made of brass, nickle silver, zinc, white metal, or glass. Depending on the maker, buttons can measure 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, or 25mm. Typically, 12mm was used to retain shoulder straps, 16mm was used on cuffs and pockets, 20mm on tunics, and 25mm on great coats. The Kreigsmarine Eagle button for uniforms was quickly discontinued but can occasionally be found made into cuff links.



Kreigsmarine Eagle Button


Admiral Fore & Aft Hat Button


Gold for Line Officers


Silver for Administrative Officers


Green for Coastal Artillery


Gray for Leathers


Glass example





NSDAP Buttons


Buttons could be made of plated steel, nickle silver, zinc, white metal, or bakelite. Depending on the maker, buttons can measure 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, or 25mm. Typically, 12mm was used to retain shoulder straps, 15mm was used on cuffs and pockets, 18mm on shirts, 20mm on tunics, and 25mm on great coats.



Early NSDAP Button


Early NSDAP Button


Gold NSDAP Eagle


Silver NSDAP Eagle


Bakelite NSDAP Eagle


SA Silver Shirt Button


SA Gold Shirt Button


SA Kepi Button


SS Cap Button


SS-VT Cap Button


NSKK Shirt Button


NSKK Numbered Unit Strap Button


German Youth/Hitler Youth Bakelite Button


Hitler Youth Unit Number Button


Hitler Youth Cap Button


Band of German Maidens Bakelite Button


Band of German Maidens Bakelite Button


Band of German Maidens Bakelite Button


Band of German Maidens Bakelite Button


DAF Bakelite Button


FAD Button


RAD Bakelite Button


NSDAP Sports Association Button





Government Agency Buttons


Buttons could be made of plated steel, nickle silver, zinc, white metal, or bakelite. Depending on the maker, buttons can measure 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, or 25mm. Typically, 12mm was used to retain shoulder straps, 16mm was used on cuffs and pockets, 20mm on tunics, and 25mm on great coats.



Early ReichPost Button


ReichPost Eagle


ReichBahn Greatcoat


ReichBahn Button


BahnSchutz Button


TENO Button


von Ribbentrop Button


Government Official/Diplomat Button


Reich Ministry for Occupied Eastern Territories Button


Reich Ministry for Food and Agriculture Bakelite Button


Early Water Customs Button


Water Customs Button


Deutsch Zeppelin Reederei Officer Button


Deutsch Zeppelin Reederei Crew Button


Mining Service Button


Mining Service Bakelite Button


Police and Fire Buttons


Buttons could be made of plated steel, nickle silver, aluminum, zinc, white metal, or bakelite. Depending on the maker, buttons can measure 12mm, 16mm, 20.5mm, or 25mm. Typically, 12mm was used to retain shoulder straps, 16mm was used on cuffs and pockets, 20.5mm on tunics, and 25mm on great coats.



Prussian Police Bakelite Button


Early Polizei Button


Polizei Button


Late Black Polizei or Fire Protection Button


Water Protection Police Button


Fire Service Button


Fire Service Button


Fire Service Button


Fire Service Button


Night Watch Button


Night Watch and Security Button