Welsh Regt buttons

[Sonofacqms]

I recently bought a collection of buttons and amongst them were some White metal King's crown 25mm Welsh Regt. Could someone who has more knowledge than I on The Welsh Regt say whether these were worn by VB's or regulars?

[Bantam]

Hi Sonofaqms,
I tried looking up some of my reference books re your buttons.The only buttons mentioned were brass for the regular battalions.I'm afraid that due to me no longer living in The Principality I don't have ready access to the Regimental Museum maybe 41st will be able to assist ?
Hwyl
Bantam

[Sonofacqms]

Thanks for looking Bantam, I thought this might be a good opener for a discussion seeing as we have some very Knowledgable people on Welsh badges and other items, a change from people asking about restrikes and the probabilities of items provenance.
Cheers Rob

[Bantam]

Hi Rob,
Too true.Buttons tend to get overlooked by a lot of collectors myself included but now even I have included one or two in my collection.I hope that there are some button collectors out there who will be able to supply the answer.
The only book I've seen on the subject is "Buttons Of The British Army 1855-1970 by Howard Ripley" and I checked that first to no avail.
Regards
Bantam

[Peter Brydon]

Sono,
Could they be silver plated ? Silver plated buttons of regular infantry design are usually described on dealers list as Volunteer Battalion buttons ( where there were no buttons for the individual V.B.`s.)

The other ranks of V.B.`s generally wore white metal general service pattern buttons, or where appropriate rifle pattern buttons.

P.B.

[Sonofacqms]

Thank you Bantam and Peter for your comments, I bought this little mixed lot of buttons with some s/titles and there were some good buttons amongst them, the button in question was made by Hobson & Sons, Lexington Street, London N.W. the button back is brass with brass loop, the white metal front is separate, so I don't think it is silver plated unfortunately!
The spelling of the word "Welsh" dates it before 1920 so it could well have been worn by a Volunteer Btn. Any more information would be gratefully received.

[Bantam]

Rob,
The maker of the button in question Hobsons of Lexington Street,London certainly supplied Volunteer insignia to members of The Welsh Regiment see the photo I've posted here where you can see the firms plaque.On the Welsh Regiment Officers thread there are more photos of the helmet plate.So it is very likely as P.B.sugested that they were plated by them for the Volunteers.
Regards
Bantam

[Sonofacqms]

Thanks Bantam, that is the sort of info that I was looking for,when you consider, these buttons although King's crown are now 100 years old. Even King's crown are at the minimum 55 years old, so all we are doing is preserving history.

[41st]

Rob,
They are Volunteer issue.
The Hobson manufactured one sounds like an Officers' version. I have one and will send a photo when I have a chance.
I also have one spelt 'Welch' and with a Queens' crown which I understand to date from approx 1860-1870 when the unauthorised spelling was used. This was manufactured by Jennens, although this does not tie up with the dates for the Militia or V.B's when they were annexed. I have more digging to do on that one.
Cofion,
Kevin

[Sonofacqms]

Thanks Kevin, another piece of information for me. I think buttons are the Cinderella of the militaria world, but much is to be learned from them. I did not know that the spelling of the word Welch was used much before the 1920's. Interesting why it's usage was introduced and then dropped only to be re-instated, if ever there was anything that pandered to fashion it is the world of the military.
Many thanks Rob