 |
Recent Books by Forum Members |
 |
|
|
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
13-07-17, 04:22 PM
|
||||
|
||||
54th (West Norfolk) Regt button date
When was the button pattern with the wreath, crown and number 54 of the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot introduced? # 144 in the 1979 reprint of 'Buttons of the British Army 1855-1970' by Howard Ripley.
The only date I've managed to find is in Parkyn's 'Shoulder-Belt Plates and Buttons' where on p. 199 he dates them as 'soon after 1800'. Surely there must be a more precise date known since then? Rgds, Thomas. 
|
|
#2
15-07-17, 03:31 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
No ideas on this?
Rgds, Thomas.
|
|
#3
15-07-17, 08:18 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hello Thomas
The problem with these very early regular army buttons is that there seems to be little official information recorded and not much published research beyond that done by Parkyn. I have copies of two articles he wrote (one in 1923!) on the earlier buttons of the British Army and in one he illustrates an early button of the 54th with the comment "this button was replaced by one with '54' inside a wreath of laurel leaves with a crown above" but, again, no date given. This site - http://asahelena.wixsite.com/militar...ar-units-c1tds - illustrates two patterns of early button for the 54th. The first is the one illustrated by Parkyn, the second is the replacement he mentioned. Dates given for these two are "c.1782-1800" and "c.1800-1830". These dates may be based on Parkyn though, so not much further forward! It would seem that the crown/54/wreath basic pattern was in use for a very long time. Not much help I'm afraid. Roger
|
|
#4
15-07-17, 10:24 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Roger, thank you for your reply, it does actually help me.
The museum mentions a 'Waterloo' wreath on the Dorsetshire Regiment cap badge. http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/in...5a835d464efd08 When I enquired about this Waterloo wreath this was the museum's reply: The 54th were not at Waterloo, only in reserve, and do not have that Battle Honour. However all ranks were still awarded the medal and allowed to wear the wreath on their buttons until 1881. When the new Dorsetshire Regiment badge was designed in the 1890s, for all ranks to wear on the undress, they took elements from both the 39th and 54th Regiment's history and were allowed to include the wreath from the buttons of the 54th as part of the new design. That's all the information we hold! Your links shows a c1782-1800, thus pre-Waterloo, button, also with a wreath, which casts a doubt on the museum's reply. If there was also a pre 1815 wreath chances are slim it is a Waterloo wreath. Rgds, Thomas.
|
|
#5
16-07-17, 09:18 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hello Thomas
Some interesting comments from the museum but I'm not convinced. I'm sure you remember this thread - http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=33543 - which you started back in 2013. My conclusion at the time was that wreaths do not always have to have a Waterloo connection! Roger
|
|
#6
16-07-17, 07:44 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Roger, thanks for the link, I did forget about it. Yes, I agree the Dorsetshire Waterloo wreath is less believable now with your link to a pre Waterloo button also with wreath.
Rgds, Thomas.
|
|
#7
22-07-17, 02:01 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
54th Regiment
Thomas,
I am looking for a good condition gilt large size officers button QVC of the 54th Regiment, as per Item 144 of Ripleys 1855-1970 book,and item 178 of his 1855-2000 book. If you should have a spare or come across a spare - please let me know - price and photo if possible. Thanks. Karl Spencer
|
|
|
|
 |
Linear Mode
