WWI Military buttons & question

[GatorBoy]

Just dug these a couple days ago all in an area about 10 feet square.
I'm hoping someone can tell me why there is an extra ring on this button.
The back mark on these happens to be Steel & Johnson manufacturing company Waterbury Connecticut .. That apparently went belly up just after World War one in 1920.

 

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[GatorBoy]

 

[Ron (CA)]

Not 100% sure but many times they had extra buttons in a sewing kit or something and they may have had 2-3 buttons on a ring like that. If a button got lost, you had a quick replacement.

 

[GatorBoy]

That makes a very good sense thank you

 

[duggap]

I have seen those found with civil war buttons. Around here all the boys say they were sewn to the inside of the coat and used as a replacement button.

 

[GatorBoy]

Thanks.. I was completely stumped at first.

 

[CASPER-2]

That is one theory - I dont know if anyone has actual documentation - to bad we dont have any WW I vets to ask
cause I have a WW I camp/training area where I got almost as many as those as I did regular buttons - never got 2 on same ring
why would you need the ring to sew inside of garment as a replacement - why wouldnt you just sew it in with its own loop
another theory - used on heavier wool garments that regular loop might not fit thru

 

[GatorBoy]

My brain wants to see it as a extension like that.