Historical information

This is a protector used to cover the shirts or jackets of military or other uniforms that had brass buttons. The horseshoe shape enabled the button to be isolated from the rest of the top and made it easier to clean and polish without getting the jacket soiled. It would have been a common item in military or militia or band member families in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They may even be still used today for regimental uniforms.

Significance

This item has no known local provenance but is of interest as an example of a cleaning object in days gone by.

Physical description

This is a brass button protector in the shape of a horseshoe with straight sides and rounded tips. It is slightly misshapen. It has an advertisement for Brasso metal polish etched into the brass.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Use Brasso Metal Polish’