Three Unknown Buttons?

[A140_Artefacts]

Hi all,

I have spent several minutes trying to find id's for these three dug buttons but haven't been able to find anything! First up is a basic looking button with N.G initials and S.FIRMIN back mark. My guess is a garrison unit button with a date of around 1800 from the back mark but could be wrong! Next up I have a gold gilt Victorian naval button that I'm guessing might have something to do with volunteers perhaps? Pre 1875 FIRMIN & SONS back mark on it. Finally another gilt button with bugle / crossed arrows and what look like JJA or SJA monogram initials perhaps. Back mark on this one is PRIOR OXFORD which isn't one I've come across before. Any help on these is appreciated and all to be sold if I can figure out what they are!

Thanks,

Phil

[GTB]

Could the V in the naval button possibly be for Victualling?

GTB

[Cribyn]

Hello Phil

Can't offer much information I'm afraid but at least this will 'bump' your query back to the top!

The 'N G' could be for North Gloucestershire and a militia button but if so it is not one that appears in Howard Ripley's book on that subject.

The 'S Firmin' backmark would suggest an early button(late 1790s/early1800s as you suggested) but it could be for any early volunteer unit with the initials 'N G' - 'North G...', 'New G....' and so on. Knowing where it was found might provide you with a clue. Obviously it might not even be military.

The bugle/crossed arrows/initial button could be for a rifle volunteer unit (again I can't identify it) but it could possibly be a hunt button or even a livery button. I realise it is a 'mounted' design so slightly out of the ordinary for a hunt/livery button but they have to be possibilities.

J Prior of Oxford was around in the late 19th century at least. The only military button I have noted with that backmark was on one for the Oxford University Rifle Volunteers, so most likely 1860s/1880s. I suspect he was a local tailor rather than a button maker!

Roger

[A140_Artefacts]

For anyone who is interested I've been given an id for the naval button and it's an Australian button of the Victorian Naval Forces.

[mike c]

Hi Phil, I have just come across your picture of 70 buttons you found,i know it was a while back but are you selling any buttons now,would like to know if you have any available thanks Mike c

[btns]

Originally Posted by mike c

Hi Phil, I have just come across your picture of 70 buttons you found,i know it was a while back but are you selling any buttons now,would like to know if you have any available thanks Mike c

He was last active on this forum mid February. He did not respond to PMs.
He is no longer selling on e-bay.