Firmins Naval button?

Hi guys,
I found this today at my site.



I can make out the letters "irmin" on the back of the badge.
And after some searching I think it could be a firmins navy badge.

I can see some gold plating on some parts, so I'm a little concerned about trying to clean it.

I found this image that is close to a match.


What do you guys think? If I'm right about the badge do you have any idea on the rank? And era?

I know a lot about the sites history, so if I can get a rank it might be possible to link with its original owner.

Cheers

Buttons usually did not denote rank as they were all the same and naval buttons are very hard to work out as they are very similar

This may help in identifying it http://www.melitomnes.org/05-3-2-2-wwii-rn-officer-buttons-fl-large.php

Stoney said:

Hi guys,
I found this today at my site.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2845/1397726034_image.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2845/1397726064_image.jpg

I can make out the letters "irmin" on the back of the badge.
And after some searching I think it could be a firmins navy badge.

I can see some gold plating on some parts, so I'm a little concerned about trying to clean it.

I found this image that is close to a match.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2845/1397726633_image.jpg

What do you guys think? If I'm right about the badge do you have any idea on the rank? And era?

I know a lot about the sites history, so if I can get a rank it might be possible to link with its original owner.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Hi stoney,

Your button was made in Birmingham (Birmingham). If you can clean off the gunk it'll reveal the makers name.

casper

the duck said:

Buttons usually did not denote rank as they were all the same and naval buttons are very hard to work out as they are very similar

This may help in identifying it http://www.melitomnes.org/05-3-2-2-wwii-rn-officer-buttons-fl-large.php

Click to expand...

great link, very helpful thank you

Doing the research is almost as fun as finding them

casper said:

Stoney said:

Hi guys,
I found this today at my site.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2845/1397726034_image.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2845/1397726064_image.jpg

I can make out the letters "irmin" on the back of the badge.
And after some searching I think it could be a firmins navy badge.

I can see some gold plating on some parts, so I'm a little concerned about trying to clean it.

I found this image that is close to a match.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2845/1397726633_image.jpg

What do you guys think? If I'm right about the badge do you have any idea on the rank? And era?

I know a lot about the sites history, so if I can get a rank it might be possible to link with its original owner.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Hi stoney,

Your button was made in Birmingham (Birmingham). If you can clean off the gunk it'll reveal the makers name.

casper

Click to expand...

Thank you
It's fascinating to think how this got to be on my farm.

Here's a bit more detail showing after a coke bath.

The button was identified as an 1837 - 1843 royal naval button officers type.

Special thanks to Tim at Hamwic house for his information.

Great button and from an officer which makes it rarer soak it in olive oil for a week

Thanks Duck
I was so close to throwing the little bugger too. It looked just like a broken roof nail covered in dirt.

And now that I think about it, it's the oldest date-able relic I've found, and my first gold find all in one, that's if you can count gilding as gold.

Here's a pic of the button after some gentle attention. I'm happy with the way it's coming along.

I followed your advice and had it soaking in olive oil.

The backmark reads "firmin & son 153 strand London"

Any idea if this thing is valuable enough to warrant a professional clean?
The net is full of them, but they all turn out to be reproductions. The real ones seem to be extremely rare.
I'm not sure if it's worth $9 or 9k lol

what a beauty! well done.

casper

Thanks Casper

A wooden toothpick is also a great way to clean buttons be carefull around gilding

the duck said:

A wooden toothpick is also a great way to clean buttons be carefull around gilding

Click to expand...

Yeah I used a tooth pick dipped in the olive oil, it works really well, gentle and accurate.