buttons with kukris

[btns]

This group of four buttons with crossed kukris has stumped me.
I do not even know if they are Nepalese or Indian.
Any help is most welcome.

1. 26 mm, J.R. Gaunt & Son, London,
2. 16 mm, Indian made, no back mark
3. 26 mm, Harman & Co, Calcutta also Ranken & Co, Calcutta
4. 19 mm, E Stillwell & Son

[Wmr-RHB]

Those with the sun (and moon) must be Nepalese. See the Nepalese flag. The symbols are also used in officers rank badges.

[Gurkha]

As Henk said buttons 1,3,4 are nepalese army.
Steve M

[Cribyn]

Hello btns

Some interesting buttons. Hope you don't mind me adding this button to your thread.

When I bought it many years ago I was told by the button dealer that it was used by the British Resident's Escort in Nepaul. I have never been able to confirm this but at least there is a clear Nepalese connection!

Roger

[peter monahan]

The spelling - 'NEPAUL' - is very interesting. An older spelling, certainly.

Apparently Hart & Levy was founded in 1859 and remained in business into the 1960s as a maker of first buttons, then clothing. The button may well be pre-1900.

[Khyber]

The Nepal Escort button as shown in Izzat is 'Nepaul' under a Victorian crown. This could well be a variant. A lovely button
Will ask Ashok Nath. He should know!

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by peter monahan

The spelling - 'NEPAUL' - is very interesting. An older spelling, certainly.

Apparently Hart & Levy was founded in 1859 and remained in business into the 1960s as a maker of first buttons, then clothing. The button may well be pre-1900.

Yes, my information is that Hart & Levy were founded in 1859 and became a limited company in 1897, so the button could be pre 1900, especially with the 'Nepaul' spelling.

Roger

[Khyber]

Just spoke to Ashok Nath. He says the 'Nepaul' button with kukris is not Nepal Escort. He has been told that there are apparently several varieties of buttons with kukris worn by the various branches of the Rana clan, including some who were exiled to India..so a little difficult to identify with any degree of certainty but going by the spelling this would definitely be around the 1890s

[btns]

Thank you all for your replies.
I have done additional research and I have found the following threads:

Nepal Escort:
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=46230
I vaguely remember that there was an article in one of the Button Lines magazines.

I had forgotten that ex forum member button_guru had discussed these buttons 5 years ago:
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=26721
He suggests they may have belonged to the Jaipur State Forces.

I need to do more research ...

In the meantime may I present another group of buttons. Some have been discussed, others are fresh to the forum.
The "Nepaul" over Kukris also exists as "Nepal" over same.
Nepaul b/m: Mappin & Webb, London - website: http://www.mappinandwebb.com/our-history
Nepal b/m: "Made in England" and "Buttons Limited, <crossed swords>"
artillery: Ranken & Co, Calcutta
QVC over Nepaul, large: special quality, small: Made in Austria.

[Khyber]

BTNS, a suggestion if I may.

Why don't you just create an album of these and other Kukri-themed badges that you have showing front/back images? Would be easy for reference as well.

Lovely buttons. Thanks for showing.

[btns]

Originally Posted by Khyber

BTNS, a suggestion if I may.

Why don't you just create an album of these and other Kukri-themed badges that you have showing front/back images? Would be easy for reference as well.

Lovely buttons. Thanks for showing.

Thank you for your messages.
I'll give it a try on my next project: buttons from India. (I do not collect badges)
The current phase of my project does not include pictures of back images. However, I do record texts on the backs.

[btns]

I found a few more buttons to add. All 3 are spunbacks.

1. erased backmark, 24.5 mm
2. J.R. Gaunt & Son Ltd, Late Jennens, London, 26 mm
3. no backmark, 16 mm

They are all variations on the previously displayed buttons.

[btns]

Another button with crossed kukris and letters A.R.
Size is 17 mm, most likely a UK product.

[Wmr-RHB]

Assam Rifles?

[btns]

Originally Posted by Wmr-RHB

Assam Rifles?

Dear Henk,
Thank you for your suggestion. It is possible, but I have not been able to find evidence.
best regards,