any idea what button this is ?

[o.t.t]

could anyone help me and i.d this button please ?

[btns]

Royal Albert Institution

[o.t.t]

Thankyou for that information ,so am i right in thinking its a button from hospital staff and not military ? or even an old Asylum button even ?

[btns]

It is indeed non-military.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Hospital

[Mike_2817]

There are probably as many 'civilian' organisation, heraldic, livery or hospital buttons as there are military

[rexb]

Is the button connected with the Royal Albert Hospital, Lancaster? I thought it was the Royal Albert Institute, Windsor: http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/windsor/w...Institute.html

Rex

[o.t.t]

Thank you for all your help , and sorry for listing a (non military button)

[btns]

For many years collectors named it "Royal Albert Flottilla", e.g. Squire's 83-09.
I worked out the letters were in fact R.A.I. I searched for Royal Albert Infirmary, Royal Albert Institute, Royal Albert Institution etc.
Your option started life as "Albert Institute of Windsor and Eton". When I did my research I could not find if it was ever formally granted the title "Royal". I now know it is listed in the London Gazette until 1896 as Albert Institute and from 1902 onwards as Royal Albert Institute.
For my option I have no evidence at all. The Royal Albert Institution was renamed as such in 1910. It was a big institute. Most hospitals at the time had uniform buttons. There are at least three different backmarks and the quality is not very good. I decided to put it down under that name until challenged.

Armfield's Ltd, Birmingham
E. Armfield & Co, Birmingham
Superior Quality

[rexb]

Thanks, btns. Another puzzle, then.

Rex