In some drawings of coats (see Figure [18]) the side tabs and their corresponding buttons are shown in addition to those on the back of the coat.
There is, however, evidence to show that the buttons were originally on the sides of the coat, for they are so wide apart as to be to all intents and purposes in that position, on the uniform overcoats of the London Electric Tramway drivers. (See Figure [16].)
They may well represent the topmost buttons of the lateral series, still found on the overcoat of the members of the Corps of Commissionaires. In this case there are three buttons on each side, of which the middle one is used for fastening the side-pocket.
Fig. 16.—The buttons and tab on a tramway driver’s coat.
Fig. 17.—An eighteenth-century coat with side buttons and tab.