74th Highlanders. brass 25mm other ranks button.

74th Highlanders. A brass example of the 24mm button with backmark SMITH & WRIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, as worn between 1855 and 1881 when the regiment became the 2nd Bn. The Highland Light Infantry. The button has the design of the Assaye elephant with the Victorian crown sitting on its back like an oversized howdah. The regimental number appears below and the honour ASSAYE above.  The regiment first saw action against Tippoo Sultan in 1791 and saw considerable further service in India. Of the 109 numbered line regiments just three bore elephants on their buttons in recognition of their service in India and two others bore tigers. The elephant especialy represented the bttle of Assaye in 1803. The backmark has the superior brass patent rather than the more typical steel one.  sep24/4