This is a very good example of Albert’s CS52A, Tice CSN202A1. This is a two-piece button showing a fouled anchor superimposed on crossed cannon on a lined field with a rope border and CSN at the bottom. The backmark is: “[dot] FIRMIN & SONS [dot]/ 153 STRAND LONDON / & 13 CODUIT ST” The condition is excellent with no dents or pushes, nice tones, slightly lighter on the raised surfaces.

Firmin was an old and established firm, known for the quality of its work, which Tice refers to as gem like, it not being uncommon to find the buttons converted to stick pins and other jewelry. The company produced some restrikes with later backmarks and their work has been faked, but with nowhere near the quality of the originals. This is a very good, dead-real example of their work, which featured, “high relief die work, sumptuous gilt finishes, and backs joined in an airtight manner by machine lathing…” (Tice.) Firmin produced a couple of variations of the CS Navy button, along with one they backmarked for Courtney & Tennent and, not to play favorites, also produced US Navy buttons.  [sr] [ph:L]

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