The top row of these buttons dates from 1770 to 1817 and come from the Early British Military Button Project website https://asahelena.wixsite.com/militarybuttons The earliest known button of the 9th Dragoons, on the left, is a flat silver sheet button, marked IX Ds, 17 MM in diameter. The date of 1770 is based on an inspection report of 1768 that says officers' buttons were ‘not yet numbered’ but this had been rectified the following year.
The second button from the left has IX above LD so is a 9th Light Dragoon button c1783 to c1800, half ball copper alloy 16mm.
The third button is a ball button worn on the hussar-style light dragoon jacket worn by officers c1810. It is silver-plated copper alloy 11mm marked C JENNENS LONDON on the back.
The fourth button is gilded which dates it after 1812 when the 9th Light Dragoons changed from a silver lace to gold lace regiment. The design has a circle with IX in the centre and a crown above. The back mark has 1 NUTTING & SON KING STREET COVENT GARDEN.
The fifth button dates from post 1916 when the 9th Light Dragoons converted to Lancers. The large Arabic numeral 9 on crossed lances. It is brass and also made by I Nutting.
The button on the left of the lower row is from the Bates & Hindmarch website. It is brass 23mm with a back mark of SMITH & WRIGHT BIRMINGHAM. The AR reversed cypher dates it after 1830 but it is believed the early buttons of the Queen’s Royal Lancers had IX instead of 9.
The second button in the lower row has a Victorian crown and a reversed AR cypher that is different in that the two As are joined in a curved line below the Rs.
The third button is post-1902 with a King’s Crown. The pennons on the lances fly outwards, a distinction of the 9th Lancers buttons.
The fourth button is also post-1902 but is a smaller version, worn on the shoulders and two on each cuff.
The fifth button is brass and a different pattern. Although post-1902 it has the AR reversed cypher based on an earlier design found on the officers’ pouches. And the lance pennons are more drooped. https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/9thlancers1810.htm
