Unusual Ordnance Button

[sapper533]

Hi

Does anybody know anything about this Ordnance button that sold recently?
Is it British?
Cheers
Sean

[Cribyn]

Hello Sean

That's a very interesting button, not one I have seen before and certainly not any regulation pattern that I am aware of (mind you I am not a specialist in Ordnance Corps items!).

Is there a backmark? It might go some way to answering your query on country of use.

Roger

[Roy]

Hi Sean,

Sorry I can't help with any details but gosh, what a hansom button.

Interested to see if more comes to light.

Cheerio,

Roy

[Mike_2817]

I thought I know of all British Ordnance buttons, but have never seen this example before never mind not having an example either!

Will be interested in its history.

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

I thought I know of all British Ordnance buttons, but have never seen this example before never mind not having an example either!

Will be interested in its history.

Hello Mike

Have you ever seen an officer's mess waiter's button for the Ordnance Corps?

One thought I had is this might be one but never having seen one before I didn't want to stick my neck out! These buttons were unofficial, produced at the unit's own expense, hence they don't appear in regulations.

It also looks rather like one of the Victorian officer's 'mufti' buttons - they were another unofficial design, often very ornate like this one appears to be. I didn't think they were in use at this late (ie King's crown) period though!

Just throwing out a few ideas until some bright spark can tell us all what it really is!

Roger

[sapper533]

Thanks guys, unfortunately it's not mine so can't say what's on the reverse, I too collect RAOC badges but have never come across this before.
Regards
Sean

[4966Ian]

Hi folks,

Spookily enough, I managed to acquire this button, in the hope that it may be a Mess Waiter's Button to the Army Ordnance Department. But I have nothing to base that hope on, other than eternal optimism, the fact that it it is made by Firmins who made a lot of Mess Waiters buttons and it is a not a recognised/official design - that I am aware of at least.

Though - looking like the design is mounted as per a Victorian Officer's mufti button - it is not a mounted/2 piece design.

The button is 24.5mm in diameter, with a spun/closed back and the backmark is : FIRMIN & SONS Ld + LONDON +

My pictures do not do the button justice - the Gilt really shines.

Cheers

Ian

[sapper533]

A beautiful thing
Regards
Sean

[Cribyn]

Hello Ian

A very nice button which may well be a mess waiter's button!

Earlier I had a look through various references covering buttons of Indian, Canadian, Australian, South African, New Zealand and several other Commonwealth countries - no sign of this button, as I expect you already know!

Roger

[4966Ian]

Thanks Roger,

I had checked Poulsom in case it was Indian - but I don't have any reference books for Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand - so thank you for confirming it doesn't appear in books covering those Countries.

Fingers crossed it is a Mess Waiters Button then.

Ian

[Roy]

Hi Ian,

Very well done indeed, what a cracker!

It certainly looks like a good contender for a Mess Waiters button.

Cheerio,

Roy

[GTB]

I am not too sure that this could be a mess waiters button. I am more inclined to attribute it to the 'Ordnance Board', the precursor of which was the old 'Board of Ordnance'. The quality of the button would merit it being worn by a high official. Just a thought.

GTB

[4966Ian]

Hi GTB,

Thanks for the suggestion. It is a good possibility - I will have to investigate the button further.

Cheers

Ian