btw Andy, have you ever been in a uniform with straps before?
Don't know about winter buttons. French soldiers in Egypt (1800) had buttons covered with cloth, because metal buttons were used as "money".
There appear to be several reasons for hidden buttons, but the most logical reason seems to be that it prevents the buttons from getting "snagged"! Click HERE.
thanks Richard...very interesting! those 1900-1901 seebattalion uniforms already had 'hidden buttons' ....i wonder if they were the earliest...talk about German Technology and to you, Andy R......BINGO!! my respects!!