how many buttons to Kofod Larsen recliner  

weren't these distributed by Selig?
I expect they only worked in the states, as an
importer of scandinavian goods.

Can't give you an 'official' answer
but I would always go with 3, as it is more aesthetically pleasing.

I would say three, too
I'm guessing the ones with four had too much puffiness in the cushion so the upholsterer needed four buttons to define the shape better. I see that a lot---too much puffiness. Conventional upholstery uses a thicker layer of polyester batting on top of the foam cushions than does Danish Modern upholstery. A lot of upholsterers out there don't understand that you don't do that in Danish Modern upholstery.
Just my guess, of course.

is it only me who thinks the...
is it only me who thinks the 4-button versions look like they might possibly have the original upholstery, while the 3-button version looks new...?

The blue one looks newish...
but the other ones could be old or new, too hard to tell from those photos.

old ad
seems like designaddict already answered my question a few years back... I found this old ad in a posting of someone else. http://www.designaddict.com/design_addict/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/th...
Looks like the chair has 4 buttons!

Oh, good to know!
I stand corrected and will file that info away for when I need it.
(Love the mellophone, too. I am a former French horn player.)