I'm not sure what you mean, Joe, regarding the metal buttons. When the lid opens there is nothing that it hits or touches where these buttons are. They don't go all the way through the lid, they are only on the outside surface so there's nothing for them to make contact with. The lid opens from right to left and there is nothing on the underside. I can take more photos if that would help explain.
I haven't tried to sew on her yet. I need to order more belts first. The head I plan to put in it is my other one, that I'm actually custom painting with my business logo. I intend to use it for photography shoots for my pattern covers, and if I ever decide to do shows it will be on display in my booth.
On the first photo you are correct, there is a place for it to be secured, I just need to find the screws to do that.