East India Company, an unusual officer’s button of non regimental pattern.

The 20mm officer’s gilt button has the backmark FIRMIN & SONS, 153 STRAND LONDON and has the design of the lion crest of the Honorable East India Company within an oval garter surrounded by a wreath. Much of the original gilt finish remains.  As there are no regimental marks our assumption is that this is probably a staff design although we have not seen an illustration of the pattern in any of the reference books or articles showing company buttons, although there are precious few of those. An intriguing button which invites research: none of my more expert friends has so far come up of with an an answer to precisely who would have worn it. It came from a dilapidated old scarlet tunic with gauntlet cuffs and buff coloured facings, probably dating to around 1855-59. I attach a photograph of the small button on that tunic’s single shoulder cord. That button is by RANKEN, CALCUTTA.  I would be vey grateful to anyone who can offer any additional information about this buton.  oct18/4