Balmoral Highlanders Buttons.28 silver diamond-shaped buttons of the Balmoral Highlanders, by Firmin & Sons., Ltd., London, all maker marked on the reverse, and all complete with retaining loop, extremely good condition, rare (28) £200-£300---Note: The Balmoral Highlanders are recorded as the Royal Bodyguard at the Highland Estate of Balmoral. Formed from the estate workers rather than a military regiment their formation and duties are still somewhat misunderstood. The most recognised period of their existence was in 1904 when H.M. King Edward VII commissioned, from the local silversmith, William Robb, 25 complete sets of uniforms, in an attempt to standardise what until then had been rather informal uniforms.Early buttons (to the same pattern) were made in silver by Lumsden & Co. of Aberdeen, and the William Robb order was for silver-plated buttons. The quality of these buttons, and the fact that they were manufactured in London, suggests that they were specially commissioned by the Royal Household, possibly for an officer or Royal Piper, or perhaps even for Royal use.------For more information, additional images and to bid on this lot please go to the auctioneers website, www.dnw.co.uk