Sussex Light Infantry Militia officer''s button

[Tiger Pete]

Hi All,

I have obtained this button with a, 'Jennen's and Co. London' backmark which I believe dates this to 1832-1912.

I also know this unit obtained the title, 'Royal' in 1846 and became the 3rd and 4th VBs of the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1881 which further narrows the range.

I have three other types of buttons in different sizes to the same unit (last photo for reference), all of which are recorded and dated but I cannot find reference to this particular one (pictures attached).

My feeling is that this may be at the earlier end of the range after 1846 but this is purely an unsubstantiated hypothesis.

It may be that I need to expand my reference material, but any assistance would be gratefully received.

Kind Regards,

Pete.

[Cribyn]

Hello Pete

Jennens & Co used a variety of backmarks over the years so it is possible to narrow the dates down a little.

Your button would appear to have a rim which would normally make this a tunic button introduced in around 1855. In about 1860 Jennens re-introduced the use of the Prince of Wales's plumes on their backmarks, so I would say your particular button dates from around 1855-1860.

Your button is illustrated in Howard Ripley's book on English Militia buttons (ref. 238) but no date is given for it. It appears in his book before the button on the extreme right in your third photo.

Roger

PS I should have made it clear that the backmark information regarding the use of the PoW plumes only applies to the large size buttons, around the 1" size. Smaller buttons, generally speaking, often never had the plumes as part of the backmark.

[Roy]

Hello Pete,

Thank you for sharing your Royal Sussex button. I can't add anything to Rogers scholarly contribution and he seems to have nailed all the pertinent details. I don't have an example of this button in my modest collection but do have the earlier 'Sussex' button and would be happy to share a photo is wished?

Cheerio,

Roy

[Tiger Pete]

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your informative reply- it's most helpful.

I have a scanned copy of the book you reference but only a DPS of pages 46 & 47 showing # 494. I assumed (wrongly) that this was the only Sussex Militia button in the book so now I will get a copy!

As to the size, this one is 21mm or about 6/8" so, from what you say, the plume inforation may not apply. I didn't know this though so it's still very helpful.

Thanks again.

Kind Regards,

Pete.

[Tiger Pete]

Hi Roy,

That'd be great. Thanks.

Kind Regards,

Pete.

[Roy]

Hi Pete,

Here you go. I think this is my only Sussex button (as mentioned I only have a small collection) but I do enjoy these early examples.

Details:

Sussex Militia Officer's Coatee Button.
Date: 1800 - 1832.
Acquisition Registration Number: № 0010
Backmarks: Charles Jennens London.
Diameter: 21mm.
Weight: 4.44 grams.
Notes: Silver plated.

Cheerio,

Roy

[Cribyn]

Hello Pete

Just in case you didn't know, you can get the English Militia Buttons book from the Military Historical Society, great value at £4.00 plus p&p - much cheaper than on ebay!

Here is a direct link to the book page on their website and oh yes, they do sell to non-members -

https://www.themilitaryhistoricalsoc...&category_id=2

Roger

[Tiger Pete]

Thank you Roger, I really appreciate your assistance.

KR,

Pete.

[Cribyn]

Hello Pete

I've just been thinking about the size of your button and perhaps your button is a coatee button, not a tunic button. The majority of large coatee buttons that I have are around the 21/22mm size mark. If so, this would date your button to pre 1855 and this would still make sense of the backmark.

Roger

[Tiger Pete]

Thank you Roy,

That's lovely. I have examples in two sizes of this one but yours is a far nicer example than either of mine!

KR,

Pete.