Victorian Era Scots Guards Officer's Sterling Silver Cap Badge Birmingham 1895

This a good quality, Victorian late 19th century example of an officer's sterling silver pre-Boer War cap badge for the Scots Guards. Featuring the usual representation of the regimental badge, with the central thistle motif and motto'Nemo Me Impune Lacessit' (no one assails me with impunity, or, no one provokes me without punishment). The green ground behind the thistle would appear to be a green enamel.

The central roundel is set upon an saltire and rayed start, as per the standard cap insignia. Hallmarks for Birmingham 1895, with the makers mark of F&S Ld, which is believed to be a variation of a marked used by the well known Birmingham silversmith and badge maker, Fattorini & Sons Ltd. Although the date letter, lion passant, and makers marks is present, there would not appear to be an anchor for Birmingham. The reverse of the badge has a tube hinge and C clasp, which is perfectly correct for the era, plus a copper retaining bar that passed through two tiny lugs to hold the thistle insignia in place. The badge measures approximately 4.9cm x 4.7cm, with the weight being 17.6g.

The condition is generally very good, with normal age and service patination, and a really nice colour to the silver. The top ray of the star above the thistle is missing the tip, or tiny'ball' of silver, which accounts for the very slight disparity in the width and length. The hinged pin and clasp to the reverse work as they should, with the pin having a very minor kink to it from use.