The copper button with the coat of arms of Tula, presented in the Historical and Memorial Museum of the Demidovs, was discovered in the Demidov family tomb in the Niсholas-Zaretsky Church among a mass of various objects from different time periods.
The decree of Emperor Paul I from December 12, 1796 “On the New Division of the State into Provinces” reinstated the division into governorates and uyezds (administrative divisions in Russia). Then, with the introduction of new states in local institutions, the law of February 15, 1797 established a system of “provincial state uniforms” demanding a unified cut and color for caftans. Under these regulations, they had to be single-breasted, with a turn-down collar, without lapels and made of dark green cloth. Uniforms in each governorate were differentiated only by the collar and cuffs, which, as it was specifically stated, had to be of “the colors that are featured in the governorate’s coat of arms” (meaning ones present on the shield). There were five such colors: red, white, blue, fawn and light green. The coat of arms was to be stamped onto yellow or white buttons. Upon approving the designs of such uniforms, they were sent out “for use by both those in service of the provincial states and those who own estates”.
In subsequent years, starting from 1801, the uniforms of individual governorates were subjected to individual changes (mostly concerning the colors of the collar and cuffs) with the simultaneous replacement of old uniforms with new ones. In 1824, color distinctions of provincial uniforms (collars and cuffs) were changed in such a way as to make them similar for the governorates included in each of the general governorates. Only the uniforms of the St. Petersburg and Moscow governorates received red collars and cuffs. Colored pipings on the collar, cuffs and breasts of uniforms became widespread. The type of buttons used for uniforms was also regulated. It was required for buttons to be made of metal of either white or yellow color with the provincial coat of arms. On January 1, 1831, the difference in the color of collars and cuffs among the uniforms of different governorates was eliminated: from now on, collars and cuffs had to be made of red cloth; the difference now consisted only in buttons (all of them were were yellow and made of metal) stamped with the coat of arms and the name of the governorate. At least five different types of buttons were used for such uniforms. Regional coats of arms were completely or partially changed multiple times, with various additions made to their designs, which, of course, was reflected in the appearance of the buttons on the uniforms. Button manufacturers also did their part, using their own versions of approved designs.
