Hinged Brass Button Stick

Soldiers could use a button stick when polishing the brass buttons of their uniform to protect the uniform from damage. This example has two identical halves attached by a hinge. When the two halves of the stick are closed around the buttons of a tunic, they form a barrier between the buttons and the cloth. The buttons can then be polished without soiling or damaging the cloth.

Button stick, also known as a button brass or button cleaning guard, is made of dull, discolored brass.