Help ID this button!

[ColonialDude]

Hey folks. Well I am trying to identify yet another find I recently made.

I found this one-piece button the same day, and on the same site I found the lions head buckle I posted on the best finds forum.

I am guessing this button dates between 1770 and 1812 based on the finds I have made there. However, most buttons didn't have backmarks until the 1790's or so...so it likely dates from 1800-1812.

I have found a few royal artillery 1812 buttons, as well as other british 1812 items on this site. So my initial thoughts were it might be a British military button dating to this same period. I have found both army and naval items from the 1812 period on this site.

However, the backmark on this button reads "Murphy, Hoeys Court Dublin" which is obviously an Irish backmark.

Could this be an Irish military button from this period Or a British button with an Irish maker I am almost certain it is military, and not a livery button. I have never heard of a livery button being found here in Ontario, Canada...and this button doesn't have the usual characteristics of a livery button. Note the scalloped looking edge.

As you can see the button was once silver gilted...and has an "R" below a crown. There may have once been a letter beside the R, that I can no longer see due to the gilt being missing...but I can't be sure.

The button is quite large...and measures 25.83mm or thereabouts.

Can anyone help me on this? I have shown it to many collectors, etc...and nobody can tell me what it is...although the general feeling by everyone is that it is in fact military.

Thanks very much

Wess

 

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[Spitfire Reddie]

Here are a few similar.I know it has something to do with The Royal Military

http://www.geocities.com/garys_hoard/Buttons/millbut.html

http://www.jarnaginco.com/artwork/buttons/537RW.JPG

 

[ColonialDude]

thanks for the reply. I don't think it looks anything like any of those buttons unfortunately. Hmmm...this one is really disturbing me...as I think it's a pretty good button. Most likely officers based on the silver gilt.

Grrr....

After looking closely, I am pretty sure there was no other letter on the button aside from the R

 

[Montana Jim]

Wess... I looked at a thousand buttons as well on-line and found many similiar, but no match... none with just the "R" and crown and none with the same outer rim design... sorry.

 

[diggummup]

Nice button.I've been searching for a match for a while now.I'll keep looking.Can't find that outer rim design either.

 

[ColonialDude]

thanks for your help guys...and the time you put in to help in my search.


hopefully we, or someone...can come up with something.

I hate not being able to ID things...and one would think ID'ing a military button would be fairly simple...guess not.

Wess

 

[Spitfire Reddie]

http://members.tripod.com/RegimentalRogue/rcrbadges/rcr-badges_1933.htm
any here look similar Wess ?

 

[stoney56]

I was wondering if it might be part of something. Instead of a great coat button but maybe part of a medal or ribbon based on size.
http://www.militarybadges.info/pages/uk/ribbons.htm

 

[ColonialDude]

http://members.tripod.com/RegimentalRogue/rcrbadges/rcr-badges_1933.htm
any here look similar Wess ?

Thanks for the link...but it's certainly not Canadian, as it's not that late. I am in the Canadian army and it's certainly not, or has not been part of any Canadian uniform.

Thanks

Wess

 

[ColonialDude]

I was wondering if it might be part of something. Instead of a great coat button but maybe part of a medal or ribbon based on size.
http://www.militarybadges.info/pages/uk/ribbons.htm

Hmmm...interesting thought, but it has to be a button based on the shank and loop on the back, as well as the concave back.

Wess

 

[Michelle]

I think colonial navies.......http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uniforms/buttons-other.htm

 

[BuckleBoy]

You might want to toss these guys (at the link below) an email and photo. They may be able to help you at least nail down some more info on the back mark, and they might be able to help i.d. it outright. My hunch is that it is definitely 1812 or earlier. British connections. The backmark is puzzling though.

Good Luck!


http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/militarybuttons.htm

 

[Michelle]

Person from royal court.....coat button

 

[Spitfire Reddie]

Its quite possible you have found a undocumented or unknown button/medal.Wow what a find !!

 

[ColonialDude]

Thanks again folks. I have e-mailed tons of button "experts", collectors, even museums...still nothing even close to an answer