Some Unknown Buttons From Devon! - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

A140_Artefacts · #1 16-02-16, 08:31 PM

Hi all...

Picked up a load of detector found buttons from Devon way and have a few I'm not sure about if anyone can help please? First I'm guessing is a naval button of sorts but not sure what? It's similar to a pursers button but not sure what the crossed things are unless they're just weird looking anchors? Second button is I assume a pursers button but the crossed anchors aren't in the normal oval I've seen before so not sure when it dates to? It's a convex open backed button if it helps? Third and fourth buttons are probably a long shot as I'm guessing they're volunteer/militia buttons. First has a central crown with the word PROMETHEUS above and the second has 6 NC so possibly a cavalry button perhaps?

Thanks for any help offered,

Phil

davidwyke · #2 16-02-16, 09:35 PM

Hi Phil

2 = RN Purser c. mid 1820's - early 1830's at a guess. (the circle came after the oval)

3 = Prometheus was a Greek god, or something to do with Greek mythology anyway. Not sure how this relates to a Georgian button, possibly not military?

4 = POSSIBLY 6th Bengal or 6th Madras Native Cavalry, early 1800's.
Not sure how it would end up in Devon unless it was brought back by one of their British Officers?

David

davidwyke · #3 16-02-16, 09:59 PM

Thinking further about "3", assuming it's not military and given the crown; I think it might be making some kind of statement relating to George III or his son George as Prince Regent.

David

A140_Artefacts · #4 16-02-16, 10:13 PM

Who knows, I was only guessing it was military because it was found on a site with several other militia/volunteer buttons and it has the usual crown design. Regarding what you said about an Indian button ending up in Devon it could be possible as I had a button a while back I couldn't identify that went to an American and it turned out it was a American Civil War button of the North Carolina Cavalry. That too was found in a field in the UK so it just shows how buttons can travel the globe!

Any ideas on the first one as I spent several minutes trying to figure out that one!

A140_Artefacts · #5 16-02-16, 11:12 PM

This great button came in the same lot too! I thought this was of the Commissariat Staff but I think it pre dates when they gained this name? Looks early 1800s to me, doesn't have a back stamp to help date it. I'm at a loss!

GTB · #6 17-02-16, 07:13 AM

I wonder if button 3 (Prometheus) could be Naval and refer to HMS Prometheus. Possibly a pattern commissioned by the Captain for his officers

GTB

davidwyke · #7 17-02-16, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A140_Artefacts

This great button came in the same lot too! I thought this was of the Commissariat Staff but I think it pre dates when they gained this name? Looks early 1800s to me, doesn't have a back stamp to help date it. I'm at a loss!

Probably worn by Staff Officers I would guess, early 1800's. In the same way that Staff Officers have worn their own pattern buttons in more recent times.

David

davidwyke · #8 17-02-16, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTB

I wonder if button 3 (Prometheus) could be Naval and refer to HMS Prometheus. Possibly a pattern commissioned by the Captain for his officers

GTB

Possibly, there was a ship of that name launched in 1807 so it would be more or less contemporary with the button.

I think if that's the case, though, it would be more in the way of a "souvenir" rather than for uniform wear. Also, I would have thought it would feature an anchor(s) rather than crown, but not necessarily so.

David

GTB · #9 17-02-16, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidwyke

Possibly, there was a ship of that name launched in 1807 so it would be more or less contemporary with the button.

I think if that's the case, though, it would be more in the way of a "souvenir" rather than for uniform wear. Also, I would have thought it would feature an anchor(s) rather than crown, but not necessarily so.

David

I am of the belief that such named buttons were worn by ship's officers on their uniforms. However, even were the buttons purchased by the captains and presented solely as souvenirs, the overlying factor is that button would have been identified.
GTB

Eddie Parks · #10 17-02-16, 03:13 PM

The devices on No 1 are anchors of a type used in fixed mooring or navigation buoys. I'd guess it's got something to do with either a harbour staff or navigation service? In any case it's a nice thing!

Eddie

davidwyke · #11 17-02-16, 06:35 PM

Re Button "1", I've checked a couple of sources (including Rowand who details quite a few miscellaneous Naval related buttons of the period) but the button in question is not shown.

Eddie (above) seems to know his anchors and his suggestions sound logical to me!

David

btns · #12 17-02-16, 10:54 PM

No. 1 is a telegraph cable company, but opinions on the company name differ.

A140_Artefacts · #13 18-02-16, 12:48 PM

Thanks everyone! So is #1 not naval related at all then? Never heard of the cable company and can't find any reference to them using this button online?

btns · #14 18-02-16, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A140_Artefacts

Thanks everyone! So is #1 not naval related at all then? Never heard of the cable company and can't find any reference to them using this button online?

"a cable company" is a generic description.
For Atlantic Cable Companies I can refer you to Bill Burns' website.
http://atlantic-cable.com/

He does not list this button.

A140_Artefacts · #15 18-02-16, 01:23 PM

Just found this badge on Google images and it has the same crossed anchors as part of the design on it so I'm going with the Telegraph Cable Service for what this button is.

Thanks btns