Identifying Buttons and Dating Khaki Drill Shirt

[christek]

A Khaki Drill 'Safari Shirt' - Maker is M.TX so I believe it is Australian.

The large gilded buttons are a mystery to me. Can someone help me ID?

No date on the shirt. Is the marking '7.43' on the sewn docket a date?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[reneblacky]

MTX is for Melbourne Textiles I'd like to think that the tag shows the date but I don't think it does, could just be a tag cat no.. Here's a war time SA made RAN tag for comparison with a '37 on it. I reckon what you have there could be ww2, but I need to see the mtx tag as mtx is a tough one! my Mum worked there in the late 50's but that will be no help!

[reneblacky]

one more thing, are the buttons sewn in? I'm not sure on what they are? again! one more it is not common to see a mtx dated tag too, this is the only one I have ever seen in my small world . in the early 60's mtx changed to C.G.C.F commonwealth government clothing factory

[christek]

Many thanks Rene, A quick look and the buttons are not sewn in and were perhaps added later, interestingly after looking under the fold, its been sanforized, I have not seen this yet on anything else except denim jeans. Here is an image of the M.TX tag. I purchased from the Cowra War Museum auction so I assume the 'North Africa' writing was added there for display purposes.

[Jerry B]

The 7/43 is perhaps the date, the colour of the letters in mtx change from red to brown or vice versa.

[Ubique]

I strongly suspect the buttons are simply gents blazer buttons. They typically have a "heritage" look about them but the details have no real meaning. I'm guessing blackened rising sun buttons would be appropriate?

Oz.

[christek]

Thanks for the tips gentlemen,
After removing the gilt buttons it was obvious they were not right. They were hollow and of cheap make. I have now installed a minty set of dark bakelite Australian Military Forces buttons. I also managed to scrub off most of the annoying written mark on the name tag. Cheers