Hi Steve - Ashok thinks the Nepaul ones are Royal Nepal Army - pre WW1 possibly Victorian. The last one could be a livery button to a Muslim Prince or something to do with one of the Indian State Forces ( Muslim ). Apparently there were a number of insignia items made for the ISF by Austrian and German manufacturers in the 1920's ( I think the States were making a deliberate point to the British? ) The one with Made in Austria on the front must be a manufacturers error or a sample of what they could produce? There's no obvious gilt remains on the Mappin and Webb button - but there are some other markings near the shank H&S above the shank and S below it - not sure if that's in anyway significant.
By the way Steve is your message box full?
|