Not sure I ever knew what they were called...I think Dad called them button slides, but don't quote me on that.

I can't imagine bakelite ones....although I'm sure they'd be collectors' items as bakelite is highly collectible (and I remember junking an old bakelite phone my parents let me play with as a kid. wish I still had that!)

Gordon, you're right, button slides/sticks really are quite the conversation piece for those who've never seen one. I remember going to a flea market and talking with one of the vendors who had several kicking around in a box. He thought they were interesting but couldn't figure out what they'd be used for. I told him and he said "oh...okay, yeah. I thought they were to hold something in place but never thought about that" He figured they were carpentry oriented or something; close but no cigar! LOL

I have no idea what happened to my Dad's button slide/stick. Long since disappeared.

A brass one

Whoa....does that bring back a flood of memories!! Thanks, Gordon.

Out of fashion due to 'Staybrite' metal parts and the old style 37 Webbing no longer in use. All the cut outs and patterns in the photo above were to accommodate all the various packs and straps that went to make up 37 Pattern equipment .. that was by the way designed by a woman ... must have had a warped sense of humour .. you had to use it to appreciate the complex patterns from, battle order, to Full Service Marching Order and all the scallywags in between. I used my first one in 1946.

Len (Ciphers)

Mine was issued in 59 when i was a "Harrogate brat"Used it a lot for buttons but not for webbing brasses.It was more of a hinderance than anything else.When staybright metal came along,it was only used for badge and collar dog back plates.The back plates were only cleaned on both sides when there was a risk of being asked to remove them.

I was issued one in 64,as everything bar belt and anklet brasses were staybright,as already mentioned,I carried my Button Stick around for 27 years,purely as an ornament.

Don't forget the piece of cardboard with a slot cut in it, that you passed the leather straps from your gaiters through to polish with boot polish. We must have been nuts, the happiest day of my life was on being posted to Korea we were issued with 'combat gear', no more polishing except cap badge, never had collar dogs in my day, still itchy scratch BD ..

Len (Ciphers)