Northumberland Militia, an officer’s 15mm open backed button

The slightly domed button is 15mm and made of silvered copper and has the design of a castellated gateway surrounded by the motto Libertas et Natale Solum with initials Nd  for Northumberland below. The open back has the very clear backmark FIRMIN & Co STRAND . A little copper is bleeding through the silver on the high points of the castle. The button is illustrated in Ripley & Darmanin English Infantry Militia Buttons 1757-1881 [MHS 2010] page 35 No 179. Although we are used to seeing larger buttons than this I have seen several militia officers’ coatees of the 1790-1820 period which use these small sized buttons at all points on the coat.     may22/4          1 sold 27th May 2021

    1 sold 25th June 2021    1 sold 1st March 2022