|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Unknown Militia Button
Can anyone help ID this button please?
It's a pewter other ranks button that is approx. 17mm wide. The initials look to be M & B with a clear M below. Above is the standard Georgian crown of the early period buttons. I was given this by a friend of mine who was told it was a metal detecting find from the east of England. He initially thought it might be Monmouth & Brecon Militia but we have no hard proof of this. I've looked through the MHS Special Number on English Infantry Militia Buttons 1757 - 1881 and am unable to find a match. Any ideas? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Hi there,
Not really much help I am afraid, but I think you are on the right road with the "Monmouth & Brecon Militia" idea. I have been through my reference books and this is the only Militia unit that I could see (this is where I am immediately proved wrong!!) that had the initials "M&BM". I am sure you know the unit's history but just in case anyone else is interested, this is what my reference book ( Button Lines - issue 47 from 1986 - Article on Welsh Militia Buttons by Major H.G. Parkyn) shows: 1757 : Monmouthshire Militia 1798 : Monmouth & Brecon Militia 1808 : Royal Monmouth and Brecon Militia 1820 : Royal Monmouth Militia 1853 : Royal Monmouth Light Infantry 1877 : Royal Monmouthshire Engineers Militia Unfortunately, he doesn't state or show what the early buttons used were. The first button shown/discussed is the pre-1855 button which had the design of "31" inside the strings of a Light Infantry Bugle with a crown above. However, I should point out that the Royal Monmouthshire Engineers website (http://monmouthcastlemuseum-archives.org.uk/) shows the following dates, which differ quite considerably in some cases: • Monmouthshire Militia (1660-1793) • Monmouth and Brecon Militia (1793-1804) • Royal Monmouth and Brecon Militia (1804-1820) • Royal Monmouthshire Militia (1820-1852) • Royal Monmouthshire (Light Infantry) Militia (1852-1877) • Royal Monmouthshire Engineers (Militia) (1877-1896) • Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) (1896 to date) Anyway, back to the button. I would pressume that the Georgian Crown indicates that this button would actually be for the "Royal" Monmouth and Brecon Militia, rather than just the "Monmouth & Brecon Militia", so would date it to approx 1804-08 to 1820. Good luck with your investigations, please let me know if you do eventually track this button down to a particular unit. Cheers Ian |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Ian,
Thanks for the in depth and informative response. It gives me something to go on. I do have a Glamorgan Militia Officer's button without the Royal in the title, and whilst there is no crown (PoW plumes of course) I am able to get a rough fix on the date as it is marked to McGowan, Soho on the back. Hwyl, Kevin |
|
|