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

The slightly domed button of the Northumberland Militia is 15mm and made of silvered copper with 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. The button, which is in excellent condition,  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.    jun11/1