1891 Scottish volunteer artillery marksmanship medal - Any more info?

Good morning, Folks.

I found this site today putting in more research time into this family heirloom. Found a similar award logged on this site (N#420975 ),so figured it would be a great place to ask if anyone had more insight on it.

-Reads: "1 and 2 Batteries, 1st Argyle & Bute A.V.C., Won by, Sergeant Hugh McLean,

1891".

-Stamped 9ct gold with “B&S” stamped underneath.

-5.2cm height, 3.6cm width.

-Centre round medallion 1.9cm Diameter.

From previous research I know that 1 and 2 batteries were on Easdale Island while their HQ was in Oban, Scotland. From a newspaper article I found from 'The Courier and Argus’ 17 July 1891 The Scottish National Artillery Association Camp. Detailing setup for 8th annual competitions and meets at Panmure Battery, Barry Links. Which indicates to me they were likely firing at the Barry Buddon Training Area. It would be a likely deduction that this award came from a meet of that size. I have reached out to the easdale folk museum as well as the Oban War and Peace museum to see what they could muster, and nothing in regards to this medal or anything similar. I have also reached out to Bisley, and Roger Mundy from the UK NRA museum, with similar results.

*edit* - For a victorian era piece, I also wondered why it was topped with a kings crown?

Perhaps Im at the end of the line with this, but maybe not!

Thanks in advance for input/insights.

Stay frosty.

- Mac

Hi Mac,

Blimey - you've done a lot of research already, very impressive!

There's not a lot I can add. I tried looking into the maker's mark “B & S”. Unfortunately, in this case not being silver, we don't have an assay office mark to narrow things down. The same “B & S” mark would have been used on the company's silver work. The most likely source of a generic medal like this (e.g. blank for engraving) would be Birmingham.

Here's a link to a website that might bear some fruit: https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/MakersMarks.html

The quality of your photo wasn't clear enough for me to get a good look at the mark itself.

Other than that, there's very little I can suggest.

Cheers

Simon

 Not sure if it is “B & S” with it being somewhat angular - 

perhaps it is “B & E” or something. 

I did zoom in, but it's still too unclear for me.

If you are able to take a sharper picture we might at least solve this part for you.

Cheers

Simon

P.S. Looking out over Isle of Bute from my window as I type!

Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated.

These are the best photos I could do with the iPhone. Will look for a way to do a macro shot and post it up.

That‘s cool, Simon. I hope to visit the area one day and take it in.

Best I could do for the time being:

Afraid it's still too blurry in close up 😔