One piece flat gilt brass button, 26mm.  Impressed design. Chocolate brown patina with small areas of green verdigris. Excavated example with a good planchet and impressions; recovered in upstate New York. Shank

Backmark: S. Firmin. This button belongs to the King’s Dragoons, whose main provenance was in England. This specific pattern issue is dated between 1785 and 1790. The button was originally produced in gilded brass. There is a stamped Crown adorning the top that sits upon a 7 point inset lined star. In the center is the King’s military designation “K D G” which is in high relief bold capital Roman Font letters upon a lined background. Encircling around in a band is the motto in the Royal Garter, “Honi Soit Qui Maly Pense” which translates to “Evil Be to Him Who Evil Thinks.” Unfortunately the lettering is worn in to the surface and the gild is worn away.

Many prominent Revolutionary War officers, including Tarleton, served in the KDG and then volunteered for service in the Continental Army when the war started. Some examples have been known to be excavated in Canada.  [ld][ph:L]

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