jeb137 Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 Hi; A friend dropped by the other day with this pin and because he knows I've an interest in WW1 and military items he thought I might know what this is. I'm clueless. It looks like it may be a cap or hat pin. But not like I've ever seen before. It has a great looking patina and with the dragons under the crown its a pretty neat looking piece. On the back it has "FIRMIN" and "London" I do not see any other marks. There is no pin on it or clasp... it does have two eyelets that may have been used to hold a small rod or bar in place (Thus making me think it may have gone on a hat or cap. Its small as the pictures show, slightly larger than a US Quarter. I'm hoping some of the experts here can help me help my friend out. Any help identifying this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jon B Newaygo MI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootrock Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 The company is still in existence, but now in Birmingham. Firmin & Sons Limited. Firmin House, 82-86 New Town Row, Birmingham , B6 4HU Tel: 0121 380 0807 Fax: 0121 359 3321 http://www.firmin.co.uk Email: military@firmin.co.uk Perhaps they can help. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 This might help firmin & Sons, 153 Strand, 1783-1796. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & sons 153 Strand and White Horse yard, 1839. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & sons 153 Strand and White Horse yard, 1822-1828. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Westall. 1797-1811. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Langdale, 153 Strand and 10 Claire Court, 1815-1821. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Sons 153 Strand and Conduit St. 1856-1860. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Sons 153-154 Strand and 13 Conduit St. 1861-1863 firmin & Sons 153-155 Strand and 13 Conduit St. 1864-1879. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Sons Ltd. 153-155 Strand and 47 Warwick st. 1890-1894. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Sons Ltd. 108-109 St Martins Lane and 47 Warwick St. 1895-1904. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Sons Ltd, 108-109 St Martins Lane and 6 warwick St. 1905-1915. British button and/or badge maker. firmin & Sons. 8 Cork St. 1916-1968. British button and/or badge maker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 For scale.. that's not a Quarter (which has George Washington on it) it's a Cent or Penny (which has Abraham Lincoln on it). A quarter is some 24mm across, a penny in 19mm across. It's bugging me what this is, as it's familiar. I'd venture that it's an officers' collar badge, whatever it is. Don't quote me but might it be Hong Kong Volunteers or Shanghai Volunteer Corps? EDIT: Indeed it is; it's an officers' collar badge of the Hong Kong Volunteers/Hong Kong Regiment later the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers). Disbanded 1995. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeb137 Posted 23 June , 2009 Author Share Posted 23 June , 2009 Thanks Phil ! Your AWSOME !! With your help it now gives us someplace to start a search. Now as to the Penny vs the Quarter. Sorry about that, after I took the pictures I set the pin down on my change and noticed that it was slightly larger than a Quarter, and smaller than a fifty cent piece. I should have stated that in the write up. Anyhow, I'm sure my friend will ask the next question, "...well, whats it worth?" I don't think he'll like my answer, which is: What ever someone is willing to pay. Anyhow, once again, thank you everyone for your assistance, expecially Phil for figuring out what it is. Jon B Newaygo MI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 Thanks Phil ! Your AWSOME !! Steady on, old man. It'll go to his head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianB Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 So might 'you are awesome' ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 23 June , 2009 Share Posted 23 June , 2009 or even "you're awesome" Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 24 June , 2009 Share Posted 24 June , 2009 Goodness me, four people testifying to my ability to inspire awe. How very... 'umblin' he says in best Uriah Heep mode (that's Dickens, not prog rock..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeb137 Posted 24 June , 2009 Author Share Posted 24 June , 2009 I will try and spell things correctly, however, I do not suspect accuracy to prevail. Anyhow, our friend ask my wife to list it for him on ebay. If anyone is interested its: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hong-Kong-Regiment-Cro...%3A1%7C294%3A50 I think its a very neat looking pin, and am greatful that someone here knew what it was. thanks again Jon B Newaygo MI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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