Firmin & Son Button

[Ken C]

I've been trying to ID this button I dug today on a very old farm field. I thought it said USA at first, but no such luck.

On the back of the button it says "Firmin & Son" "London 1" "TRA" and then "155" right next to shank.

I can't find the front design on any site or search I try.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Ken

 

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[digging440yrs]

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/292629-need-firmin-sons-button-id.html#post2762597--------click this link

 

[Ken C]

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/292629-need-firmin-sons-button-id.html#post2762597--------click this link

Thanks. I was looking at that earlier. My button says "Firmin and Son" not "Sons". I didn't see mention of that there.

I was hoping to find out what the button was for as well. Like what branch of the military, etc.

 

[Mackaydon]

The Firmin company still exists.
You may wish to contact their current office and inquire:
FIRMIN HOUSE - Contact Us
Don.........

 

[Ken C]

The Firmin company still exists.
You may wish to contact their current office and inquire:
FIRMIN HOUSE - Contact Us
Don.........

Hey Don, thanks for that. That was one of the first things I did, sent them an email to see if they can help. I figured it would take a few days at least to get a reply with the holidays and all. It's amazing they were started in 1655!

Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Is the word between London and Firmin "STRAND"? And, does anyone else see "CSA" on the front?

 

[CRUSADER]

Its got missing letters & like on your other post I think its;

FIRMIN & SONS Ld
153 (in centre circle)
STRAND LONDON

Dates to - 1876-1894

Its a 'MS' on the front, some kind of civil or private company initials.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Fyrffytr1, like you I thought the intertwined letters on the button's front could be CSA... get the A to look right. Having now read Crusader's interpretation of the letters as being MS, I think he is correct and the button is upside-down in the photos.

 

[Ken C]

Its got missing letters & like on your other post I think its;

FIRMIN & SONS Ld
153 (in centre circle)
STRAND LONDON

Dates to - 1876-1894

Its a 'MS' on the front, some kind of civil or private company initials.

I really appreciate the effort to help identify the button. Below is a better photo that show's "Firmin & Son" "London 1", "TRA" and then "155" right next to shank.

 

[CRUSADER]

I really appreciate the effort to help identify the button. Below is a better photo that show's "Firmin & Son" "London 1", "TRA" and then "155" right next to shank.


View attachment 1530112

OK, everything I stated was right other than its 155.

You can see the shadow of some of the missing letters, & I can see the small d next to the L (Not a 1)

I think this button suffered from a die blockage. Everything to me screams late 19th C, including the letters.

 

[Ken C]

Thanks for the info! I did email the company last week and I'll update everyone with any info they provide.

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the info! I did email the company last week and I'll update everyone with any info they provide.

I look forward to it. Shame we couldn't work out which organisation used it, that would have helped as well.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I rotated the picture to better show it.

 

[Mackaydon]

Here are date ranges for your button:
[TABLE="width: 640"]
[TR]
[TD]FIRMIN & SON[/TD]
[TD]1790'S; 1823-1840[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

The later range more likely.
Don......
Source:Button Back Marks

 

[fyrffytr1]

Mack,
I wonder where Mr Byce got his information? all my references list the name as Firmin and Sons.
One reference states the company was founded circa 1670 by Thomas Firming; name changed to Firmin in 1770. Firmin and Sons dates from 1823, being preceded by Firmin & Langdale. Firmins became a limited liability Co. in 1875 and the buttons afterward have "ltd" in the backmark

 

[Mackaydon]

Yes, the source I referenced had five different names for the firm throughout it's history.
[TABLE="width: 640"]
[TR]
[TD]FIRMIN & SON [/TD]
[TD]1790'S; 1823-1840[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]FIRMIN & WESTALL [/TD]
[TD]1800-1811[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]FIRMIN & LANGDALE [/TD]
[TD]1812-1823[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]P & S FIRMIN [/TD]
[TD]1840-1875[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]FIRMIN & SONS LD [/TD]
[TD]Post 1875[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Don...