A scarce early-Victorian Royal Artillery officer’s button manufactured during a very short timeframe, identifiable by both its design and the historically narrow period during which the backmark was used by Firmin.
The backmark “P & S FIRMIN, 153 STRAND, LONDON” corresponds to the trading name of the firm Firmin & Sons (Philip & Samuel Firmin) during a well-documented four-year period. Firmin backmarks provide highly reliable dating, and this particular wording appears only early in Queen Victoria’s reign, making the button a collectable of notable historical interest.
Description
Early-Victorian Royal Artillery officer’s button features:
Central Device: The 3 cannons, the long-established emblem of the Royal Artillery, with the regimental motto “UBIQUE” in a scroll below and surmounted by the St. Edward’s Crown (used until 1901). High-quality gilt, befitting an officer-grade button, retains strong shine. Bordered by a pie-crust border
Construction
-
Two-piece officerial construction
-
Fixed shank for sewing attachment.
-
Diameter: 21 mm (standard medium-size officer’s tunic button of the period).
Backmark
Clear stamping:
P & S FIRMIN
153 STRAND
LONDON
This backmark helps authenticate the piece and precisely date it between 1837 and 1841. Firmin changed address and company style several times, making their marks highly datable.
Condition:
Very good. Strong gilt remaining on the face, an undamaged, upright shank, a clear, fully legible P & S Firmin backmark and an absence of crushing or corrosion at the seam
This example would be considered desirable both for its early-Victorian date and for being sourced from one of the premier London military outfitters.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.