Scottish button, Firmin & Sons.

[High Wood]

I am puzzling over this button which appears to have a Scottish connection. Any thoughts please?

[GTB]

Yes, definitely.
I would say it could have to do with the Cameronians (Large 'C' surrounding the Mullet).

GTB

[High Wood]

Howard Ripley shows a black hunting horn and thistle wreath button for the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), (560), which is the only button of theirs that I am familiar with.

[Cribyn]

Hello

This is a bit of a mystery button and the identification remains uncertain.

It is certainly not one of the recognised official patterns for The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

There is the possibility that it is an unofficial design for something like a mess waiter's button but there is a well known design for this (see attached photo), so personally I think a mess waiter's button is not an option, although others may disagree.

Then again, it may simply be a livery button with a Scottish, possibly Cameron or other 'C' clan or family connection.

Roger

[High Wood]

Many thanks for the information. Could it be a Canadian Scottish button of some description?

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by High Wood

Many thanks for the information. Could it be a Canadian Scottish button of some description?

Yes, there is always the possibility that it is Canadian (although I don't recall having seen it in Eric Smylie's excellent book on Canadian buttons) or even some other Imperial/Commonwealth military force.

[dognose]

Just playing devil's advocate, but could the 'C', when viewed at a different orientation, just be part of the decoration?



Trev.

[Rob Miller]

There are several possibilities

The Black Watch had a different design for NCOs, perhaps the Cameronian's did too for a short period?

It may be for a Volunteer or Territorial Battalion of the Cameronians?

There is a mention of a Boer War "Scottish Volunteer Cyclist Company" in Ray Westlake's "The Territorial Battalions, a pictorial history" page 126, perhaps the "C" stands for Cyclist's?

Rob

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by dognose

Just playing devil's advocate, but could the 'C', when viewed at a different orientation, just be part of the decoration?



Trev.

Hi trev
I don't think so, the upper part of the button would be where the two top thistles meet, so I think this is a 'C'.
Could it have anything to do with Calcutta Scottish maybe?
Cheers,
Alex

[dognose]

Hi Alex,

Yes, I see it now that you have pointed it out. It must be a 'C'.

Trev.

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi trev
I don't think so, the upper part of the button would be where the two top thistles meet, so I think this is a 'C'.
Could it have anything to do with Calcutta Scottish maybe?
Cheers,
Alex

Again this is not a recognised pattern button for the Calcutta Scottish.

To be perfectly honest I don't think it is military, although glad to be proved wrong, it just doesn't have that military look to it!