Victorian 5th Fusiliers / Northumberland Fusiliers Officers Silver & Gilt Mess Dress Shoulder Badge Ornament

A favourite badge of mine, not immediately one that would be associated with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers, but this was the badge worn on various forms of shoulder decoration by officers from 1836 until 1898. The grenade is finely struck and silver plated, and the flames are in frosted silver plate with a gilt rose and QVC crown separately mounted above. The retaining wires for insertion through the shoulder cords are still present and folded neatly inside the ball of the grenade. This example is 45mm wide and 57mm tall. They are found in a variety of sizes typically in this range. Worn on the gold crow's foot shoulder cords of the Mess Dress Jacket, and on its predecessor the Shell Jacket, 1840s to 1860s. A lovely delicate badge in stunning condition for its age. The best I have handled.Col D R Wood No 270B refers.Comm JoPa