Have you thought about using cut steel buttons, or ball buttons? Either one is a very traditional choice.
For ball buttons: http://www.militarymetalwork.co.uk/p...=BB020&cat=101
For cut steel buttons:http://www.militarymetalwork.co.uk/services/court.php
You might like to check out this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...buttons-50232/