Moonpig Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Please can anyone advise as to what this is? It came with a lot of Hertfordshire Constabulary badges. Is it in fact a police button at all? Approx. 9/10 of an inch in diameter. Two piece construction with silver(ed) face and brass back. Marked "FIRMIN LONDON". Grateful for any help re. this item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 This could be for a senior police officer - I would have thought Asst Chief Constable upwards. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonpig Posted February 21, 2013 Author Share Posted February 21, 2013 My thanks for your response and help. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 I agree ACPO rank button with Kings Crown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Strong Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 How would the difference in ranks be indicated on the buttons?Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonpig Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 Again thank you to those who have replied with information. Most odd is the fact that only yesterday, after trying for several days without any success at identification, I opened a book in a nearby bookshop only to find an illustration of a tunic showing this type of button! Have also managed to source a listing of Firmin backmarks which places it mid-C20th. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 These buttons are common to all Police ranks in England & Wales which are of the level of Association of Chief Police Officers. In the Met Police this is the rank of Commander and above and in the County Forces, Assistant Chief Constable and above. Ranks below this will have buttons which are attributed to their particular force, whereas ACPO ranks have commonality across the country. A few years ago I saw a set of these in silver in a presentation box, from the early fifties, I wish I had bought them ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonpig Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 Not sure what the metal content of this is. Certainly not chrome and looks very much like silver, though it seems unlikely that there would be a brass back??? On the other hand, If plated, it has worn very well over a period of some 60 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Probably silver.I like your old watchman's picture as your avatar. The big candle lantern should get Brian's attention. These watchmen were always called 'Charlies' - since King Charles 2nd established them in London in the 1660's. He would also have carried a rattle - to raise the alarm - and his stick was longer then this, in fact a stave. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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