Rare British 23rd Regt. Prince of Wales Officers' cufflink.

[smokeythecat]

I was digging colonial spots this last couple weeks with some success. I still have a lot of material to clean up and want to get back out tomorrow, but this one little item stole the show.

It is an engraved brass British 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiiers) cuff link in brass. The device on the cufflink is the armorial coat of arms for the Prince of Wales.

The 23rd served extensively in North America during the Revolutionary War and a lot of their buttons have been found through time.

The cufflinks, however, not so much. The officers would have had these custom made. The cufflink was engraved, so looking at it ignore the browner high spots, as they are wear areas. There are three engraved feathers and a coronet (crown) underneath.

The little hand engraved checkerboard colonial tombac button was found nearby. Lotsa fun. I found about 50 colonial items this week alone. Been busy at work. Please zoom in for the details.

 

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[CRUSADER]

Hate to burst any bubbles, but that historical link is very tentative.

Although it is a cool late 18th C find.

 

[Ahab8]

That’s a really cool cuff link. I found a “Welsh plume” saddle shield a couple years back and received a good history lesson on this symbol and how it’s often tied to military. Unfortunately it gets very convoluted due to the fact that it was a very popular symbol in the late 18th and early 19th century. Cuff links are one of my favorite finds

 

[Javadroid]

Congrats on an interesting little relic! Looking forward to seeing more of your finds from the site.

 

[smokeythecat]

I have only found a few cuffllinks ever from the 18th century. I had a great time. The farmer had planted the day before, so it was not a problem. It's amazing how many corn seeds were on top of the ground. Maybe the rain today will wash some in and allow them to germinate. But horror of horrors, the "U" on my keyboard is sticking!

 

[Calabash Digger]

congrats!

 

[Ahab8]

I have only found a few cuffllinks ever from the 18th century. I had a great time. The farmer had planted the day before, so it was not a problem. It's amazing how many corn seeds were on top of the ground. Maybe the rain today will wash some in and allow them to germinate. But horror of horrors, the "U" on my keyboard is sticking!

Wow! Good thing you’re not a millennial....you’d have to go to therapy for that keyboard issue

 

[Hawks88]

Nice old finds. Congrats

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice finds!

 

[CRUSADER]

I have only found a few cuffllinks ever from the 18th century. I had a great time. The farmer had planted the day before, so it was not a problem. It's amazing how many corn seeds were on top of the ground. Maybe the rain today will wash some in and allow them to germinate. But horror of horrors, the "U" on my keyboard is sticking!

When I press my pound sign I now get a # !
Anyways, the Prince of Wales symbol was very popular in the Civilian world, as well as the Military & its associated to several Regiments, not just the one you mentioned. So we will probably never know for sure who wore them.
I've seen a few before but I can't remember getting one myself, so I would be happy to add it to the collection.

 

[smokeythecat]

I like it. Today it was a BETTER DAY! Just got home, haven't cleaned up anything yet.

 

[Oddjob]

I like it. Today it was a BETTER DAY! Just got home, haven't cleaned up anything yet.

So you are going to clean that up more; will yyou post a picture after you get it done.

 

[smokeythecat]

Oddjob, I'm not going to clean it anymore. I have a wad of stuff found this week I haven't had time to do anything with yet.

 

[diggerranger]

[emoji106][emoji106]

 

[Iron Patch]

Unfortunately I agree with Cru, and too bad as the 23rd has some incredible history. This early officer button was one of my best finds last year and best button finds ever.

 

[CRUSADER]

Unfortunately I agree with Cru, and too bad as the 23rd has some incredible history. This early officer button was one of my best finds last year and best button finds ever.

Nice.
& if the Reg. was commissioning a cuff-link there is no way, even if it was associated to civvy use that they would leave out the no.s

 

[smokeythecat]

Well, it's the ONLY oval engraved cufflink from the 18th century I have ever found. The cherry pickers missed so much stuff running through that area it wasn't funny. I go slow, that's all I CAN do anymore and I like the artifacts. I don't need another "wasted" copper. They aren't worth squat. I want to go arrowhead hunting SO BAD, don't have a spot right now.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Very nice colonial cuff link Smokey. You’ve been on a tear this week.

Best of luck to you.

 

[smokeythecat]

Carolina Tom, that was just Saturday and Sunday. I have been at work since then.

 

[tinpan]

Hi Volunteer colonial royalists militias uniforms where never commissioned by the crown , british army or navy .They were designed and paid for the members of the militia .his was their right under the law. Like civilians had the right to form militias to help protect their colony TP