OFFICERS IRISH BRIGADE BUTTON

CRUSADER · Feb 9, 2015

We are still stratching around for ideas, so we started on 2 fields that were ploughed & not planted, but had nothing. This was because it used to be marsh land before draining, so a desperate try!
Then we tried a Wood (never hunted it) which was 500 metres from a known Roman Site, but again nothing.
Then we moved to the Copse on the edge of a Roman Site, where we had found about 5 Roman coins in the past, but again nothing.
At this point the only scrappy I had was found on the side of a trackway whilst returning to the car from the Wood.
Dad decided to try the Tractor Tyre tracks whilst I was in the Copse, & did OK with 3 scrappies.
So on the way back to the car again we followed a tyre track up the middle of the field, & when I got to the end I was somewhat in front, so instead of turning left towards the car, I turned right, so as to do a loop & let Dad catch up. At the end of the loop & close to the corner of the field I got 'the button'. Made our 3 hours more than worth it, specially after doing a bit of research.

The following is my best assumption at this stage because I can't find an example of this button at all & I suspect its at least Very Rare!

Officers Silver Plated Button with Shank
S FIRMIN STRAND - Dates it to 1771-80
The only Irish Brigade I can find is linked to the 'French Irish Brigade' which dispanded in 1792.

I have really struggled on this one, so any help would be great? I am awaiting an expert opinion, so fingers crossed. :thumbsup:

UPDATE:
Loyal Irish Brigade 1794-99

CRUSADER · Feb 9, 2015

PS. The weather was crazy warm today, could have worn a T-Shirt. Dad saw a butterfly :icon_scratch:

(no flowers around)

ironhorse · Feb 9, 2015

Gorgeous button!
I hope it is the elusive rarity we all look for. I'll be looking for the update when you nail it down

Possible connection to the Irish Rebellion 1798

BARKER · Feb 9, 2015

HI CRUSADER; Here in Boston area that button would go for at least $150 - $250 in American Dollars. That would be a real sweet addition to anyone's collection here. With a bidding war it could go for over $500. I'd love to have it. Here during the Civil War (1859 - 1865) there were Irish Brigades that fought with valor for the Union Forces. Many times Brigades were made up of different Ethnicities. That button would be Famous around here ok. Sweet find. PEACE:RONB

nsdq · Feb 9, 2015

sweet diggs

CRUSADER · Feb 9, 2015

BARKER said:
HI CRUSADER; Here in Boston area that button would go for at least $150 - $250 in American Dollars. That would be a real sweet addition to anyone's collection here. With a bidding war it could go for over $500. I'd love to have it. Here during the Civil War (1859 - 1865) there were Irish Brigades that fought with valor for the Union Forces. Many times Brigades were made up of different Ethnicities. That button would be Famous around here ok. Sweet find. PEACE:RONB

Yes, I found out about the CW connection, there is also a Rev War connection. But I had never heard of the French connection, which I 'think' this is.

UnderMiner · Feb 9, 2015

Very interesting find. I wonder how it got there :thumbsup:

nsdq · Feb 9, 2015

French Connection is a movie if i remember

Bill D. (VA) · Feb 9, 2015

Never seen that button before - very nice!

CRUSADER · Feb 9, 2015

Bill D. (VA) said:
Never seen that button before - very nice!

I have one of these feeling that nobody has, but I am an optimist...lol

nsdq · Feb 9, 2015

Random thought Easter Rising incident just before WW1 ?

Ahab8 · Feb 9, 2015

Wow that is a gorgeous button Cru! I really hope it's a super rare one. It's got a great look to it

DigIron2 · Feb 9, 2015

Awesome button!I don't think I have ever seen one before,really nice to have to add to your collection.congrats

pepperj · Feb 9, 2015

Lots of silver left on that one, nice addition to the buttons.

Steve in PA · Feb 9, 2015

That is a sweet button. Hope you can get some more information on it.

Westfront · Feb 9, 2015

Hope you can nail this one down. Good looking button and if it's a sought after one the condition will be the icing on the cake!

BARKER · Feb 9, 2015

Hi CRUSADDER; Here is link to the Fighting Irish Brigade: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/the-fighting-irish-brigade/?_r=0
You may want to look up Thomas F. Meagher (pronounced MA'R) of 1848. The Irish Uprising ok. I hope this helps. Let us know what you find ok. PEACE:RONB

BARKER · Feb 9, 2015

HI CRUSADER; Here is the Link For The British Army's Irish Brigade ok. : Irish Guards - Ask.com Encyclopedia
Let us know ok. PEACE:RONB :leprechaun-hat:

CRUSADER · Feb 10, 2015

UPDATE:

Although I have an ID, I'm a little confused by the timelines.

There was a button published only a few years back, it was attributed to the Loyal Irish Brigade 1794-99.(Short lived)
Brief History:
The Irish Brigade was formed in 1794 employing as officers many Irishmen who had served in Irish Regiments of the French Army but who had left France following the Revolution. There were originally six regiments but recruiting difficulties reduced their strength to four regiments, some serving abroad in Nova Scotia and the West Indies.

I've asked the question of the expert;
If the ‘Loyal Irish Brigade’ were formed in 1794 why does the button manufacture date to 1771-80?
NB. Published example has backmark - 'Brady Dublin', mine has S FIRMIN STRAND.