Help with two more please.

[nigel n]

I've got another two early buttons that I'm unable to trace, can any one help please.

1st, 1 D either side of a crown, makers Firmin & Westall. Possibly 1st Dragoons but I can't find a match.

2nd, 57 over E.K and with HONI SOIT QUI MALY PENSE within the strap and crown above, marker, JONES DUBLIN. I think possibly E.K could be for East Kent but again drawn a blank.

Nigel

[Unknownsoldier]

First button I'd guess is 1st Dragoon???

Tom

[nigel n]

Hi Tom, thanks for the reply, I also thought that but I can't find a match in any of my books (unless I've missed it).

Nigel

[4966Ian]

Hi Nigel,

According to the booklet "Military Button Manufacturers from the London Directories 1800-1899". The Makers "Firmin & Westall" were active from 1800 to 1811. So I pressume it could also date from before 1800 as well. (Gwen Squires book lists them as active from 1797 - though not sure how accurate her book is).
Don't recognise either button I am afraid. Will keep looking though.

Cheers

Ian

[Jeff Mc William]

Hi Nigel. For the second button..a wild guess...could it be East Kent Militia ? The Kent Militia were 57 in the Precedence List for 1803 to 1833

[btns]

the backmark on the 2nd button is: Jones, Dublin

[Jeff Mc William]

Yeah ok I agree, the button was probably made in Ireland, but the "57" and "EK" match and I cant find an Irish militia regiment of that date to match it. There was no "57" on the Irish List, and "37" was the Wicklow Militia. Also, the dates 1803 to 1833 are valid.

[Neil Pearce]

For what it's worth, the info I have have lists "Firmin and Westall" from 1797. The seem to disappear in 1812 when they were called "Philip Firmin"

Regards, Neil

[nigel n]

Many thanks for all the replys, guys.

I've been informed that the 57 EK button is indeed of the 57th East Kent militia, as suggested by Jeff.

Thanks again.

Nigel.