Hussar buttons became widely recognized as part of the distinctive model uniforms associated with this type of light cavalry. Due to the similarity of hussar uniforms across various European armies of the period, uniform buttons could number up to approximately 80 per garment. Button size varied, with larger diameter buttons often placed centrally and smaller ones arranged along the edges.
Generally, hussar buttons were spherical or hemispherical in shape. In the French army, hussar uniforms were particularly characterized by spherical buttons.
In the case of the Westphalian hussars, the buttons were almost exclusively manufactured in a hemispherical form and were typically uniform in size. A notable feature was the frequent use of white metal in their production, while only a small proportion were made from tin alloy. Another distinguishing characteristic was the decorative ornamentation applied to some buttons.
The manufacturing process generally involved soldering the hemispherical metal top onto a brass base fitted with either a steel or brass loop. Variations also existed in which a white-metal hemisphere was filled with tin alloy and fitted with a steel loop.
Buttons of the 1st and 2nd regiments did not differ from one another in design.
Examples of these buttons were discovered at forward outposts of the Westphalian hussars near Mozhaysk. Additional finds were made at the crossing of the Berezina River and further along the retreat route toward Vilna.
