Royal Sherwood Foresters Militia Button

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Well pleased to be back up and running as our internet was repaired just a short while ago..

Okay, so here is a rather nice silver plated militia button I have to the Sherwood Foresters. In Rifle it is #168. 25.7mm in diameter. Rather pleased with this one as it was a little grubby, especially the back, but cleaned up really well.

It also is listed as a Nottinghamshire Militia button, so can I take from that it was worn by both?

Any help with dating this would be grand?

Cheers, Roy.

[davidwyke]

That Arizona guy is here again!

Nottinghamshire (Royal Sherwood Foresters) Militia Officers silver plated tunic button .

That pattern worn (as tunic button) c. 1855/1856 - 1881.

Backmark dates it at the end of the above period - c. mid 1870's - 1881.

I didn't realise it was also worn as a RV button, will get book out later and check.

Roy - if you clean buttons like this one be VERY careful, particularly with the front. It's only a very thin layer of silver plate and you can easily expose the base metal underneath. Be equally careful with gilt buttons, it's very easy to destroy the finish.

David

PS.... just checked the Notts buttons in RV book but couldn't see the same pattern there. Not sure which button you are looking at but I think your button above is just Militia.

[Roy]

Hi David,

Thanks for that mate, great information as always. Thrilled to have an expert like you to ask about these things.

I hear you on the cleaning David and I am always 'very' careful indeed. If you see any loss of plating to the high points, it was already there and not done by me. I normally just use a soft (old) toothbrush and a little warm soapy water and just for a few minuets. I'm only interested in getting any dirt off and not interested in 'polishing' them up.

A simple clean like that I find does the trick and doesn't do any harm but very much appreciate the advice.

Now go and take a rest as you know I will be back..

Cheers, Roy.