An anvil buttress retention system (28) to releasably secure an anvil buttress material (26) to an anvil (20) prior to stapling comprising: an anvil (20), a distally raised region (46) formed on an undersurface (48) of the anvil (20) and including proximally extending fingers or projections (50, 52); and an anvil buttress material (24) releasably secured via the proximally extending fingers or projections (50, 52) to the distal end of the anvil (20).