In the 17th and 18th centuries, rank was generally denoted by the quantity of lace and through other decoration used on uniforms. While a crossed sword and baton was already used by generals by 1800, until the Crimean War, the different grades of general were only distinguished by the grouping of the buttons on their coats - General: even spaced buttons; Lieutenant General: buttons in groups of three; Major General and Brigadier General: buttons in pairs.[citation needed]