Royal Scots Fusilier silver buttons

[Tinto]

Hi all,
Here are some silver (or silver-plated) buttons which I think are for Volunteer Battalion of Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Is it possible to date these from maker's mark?
Thanks,
Tinto

[Cribyn]

Hello Tinto

The buttons will obviously date from 1881 to 1901 as they all have the Victorian crown.

The only backmark that I could date with any degree of certainty would be the middle button with the address '108 St Martins Lane'. Firmin moved to this address in about 1894, so the button must date after this.

I can't quite read all of the backmark on the button on the left but it appears to be just 'Firmin & Sons Ltd London' which is a mark they used for quite a long period in the late 19th century and probably used even after they had moved to 108 St Martins Lane.

Hope this is of some help.
Roger

[Tinto]

Hello Roger,

Thank you very much for your comments. The button on the left has "PATENT 2546" in the centre part.

Cheers, Tinto

[Cribyn]

Hello Tinto

I think it might read 'Patent 2346' in which case the button will date from after 1884. Robert Elsdon's Patent 2346 of 1884 provided a method of securely fixing a shank to closed buttons.

If it is actually '2546' then it is either an error or a patent I have not come across before.

Roger

[Tinto]

Originally Posted by Cribyn

Hello Tinto

I think it might read 'Patent 2346' in which case the button will date from after 1884. Robert Elsdon's Patent 2346 of 1884 provided a method of securely fixing a shank to closed buttons.

If it is actually '2546' then it is either an error or a patent I have not come across before.

Roger

Hi Roger,

You are right, it is "Patent 2346", sorry for that error. Thanks for the extra information.

Cheers, Tinto