Aberdeen Medals

France: Colonial Medal (Medaille Coloniale). 1st 'Premier Type' medal with bi-face wreath suspension. With 2 x clasps of the 'clapet' type 'Madagascar' & 'Senegal et Soudan'

Medal is of the first type with poincons / hallmarks for 'Mercier' on double sided wreath suspension

The medal with Paris Mint 'Cornucopia' logo, and word 'Argent' (silver) indented on rim of medal

The 2 x clasps attached to the silk riband are all of the official Paris Mint 'Clapet' type (Monnaie De Paris') each bearing multiple French silver marks / maker marks, or 'Poincons', indented on both obverse of clasp, and the hinged clasp on reverse of the clapet. The marks include 'Sangliers' (Boars Heads)

The clasps represent service as under:

'Madagascar': The clasp was instituted on 7 June 1895, and was made retrospective to reward personnel present in numerous specified military operations (Campaigns & Punitive Expeditions) between 1829-1947 that took place on Madagascar and neighbouring islands

'Senegal et Soudan': The clasp was awarded for numerous qualifying campaigns in Senegal and Sudan between 1833-1907, including the expeditions of 'Captain Marchand' to Dongola in 1895-1896

A choice and rare example of a 1st type multi-clasp Colonial Medal, the clasps representing diverse service in; Indian Ocean, West Africa & Sudan in the era 1895-1914

Condition: GVF

Code: 20817

165.00 GBP

France: 'Boxer Rebellion' China War Medal 1900-1901 (Medaille De Chine 1900-1901). With clasp (agrafe) '1900 Chine 1901'

With Paris Mint makers marks comprising the 'Cornucopia' logo and word 'Argent' (silver) indented on the flat edge of the rim

The medal fitted with a length of original silk watered 'moire' corded riband

The 1901 China expedition commemorative medal (Médaille commémorative de l'expédition de Chine 1901) was a French military campaign medal established by the law of 15 April 1902 to recognize service in China in 1900 and 1901 during the Boxer Rebellion

Basic award criteria between the French Army and French Navy varied with regards to dates of eligibility. For Army personnel the qualifying dates were service ion China between 30 June 1900 to 8 August 1901, while the Navy dates were 30 May 1900 to 31 December 1901

An attractive medal

Condition: Toned VF

Code: 20815

175.00 GBP

France: Military Medal (Medaille Militaire). 1st type. 2nd Empire 'Emperor Louis Napoleon' issue 1852-1870

The decoration with French Imperial 'Eagle' suspension

By designer 'Barre', with 'Barre' signature on reverse of decoration

This issue of the decoration is of the type awarded during the Crimean War, China, Italy and Mexico campaigns of the 1850'S-1860's, and of the type awarded to Allied Forces personnel including British Army personnel recommended for bravery during the Crimean War

Usual wear to the enamel on obverse of medal

A good example for use to reconstitute a British Crimean War era medal group that might have a missing 'Louis Napoleon' issue Medaille Militaire

Sold with a replacement length of silk moire riband

Condition: About VF

Code: 20788

145.00 GBP

France: Escapers Medal (Medaille des Evades). With 'Wound' emblem on riband

Note: The wearing of the 'Wound' emblem on the riband, indicates an escaper who was 'wounded' during his escape from enemy captivity

Instituted in 1926, the medal is awarded to all personnel who had successfully escaped from enemy internment, or died in their attempts to escape from captivity. The medal was made retrospective to include all wars since 1870

Note: Prior to 2016 there was no 'official' wound medal - the authorised 'Wound' insignia being originally a riband only with a red enamelled star. Latterly the protocol was to wear the approved red enamelled star only on the respective campaign medal riband. Later still ,white metal bars (agrafes) with red enamelled star centres were authorised for wear. In practise, while serving personnel followed the official protocols, veterans who had left the services, preferred to adorn 'any' award with 'Wound Emblems', or wear any of the prolific range of unofficial 'Wound' medals. In 2016 after many years of clamour for change, the French authorities approved the award of an official wound medal. The newly created Wound Medal uses the official original 'Wound' ribbon of the Great War, and a common design of the hitherto unofficial wound medal that had been worn by veterans since 1918

Condition: GVF

Code: 20784

45.00 GBP

France: Medal of French Recognition 1914-1918 (Medaille De La Reconnaissance Francaise 1914-1918). 1st type. 1st Class 'Gilt' medal with silk rosette

The Medal of French Gratitude was created on, 13 July 1917, and originally was intended as a decoration for award to civilians - albeit the award criteria was subsequently expanded to include reward to military & nursing personnel (French & Allied). The medal was created to express gratitude by the French government to all those who, without legal or military obligation, had come to the aid of the injured, disabled, refugees, or who had performed an act of exceptional dedication in the presence of the enemy during the First World War. The creation of this distinction was mainly the result of unsuccessful offensives of General Nivelle in 1917 and the serious crisis of confidence in France. The French government thus wanted to thank those who, despite the crisis, were always volunteering

The decoration was awarded to: Persons who, in the presence of the enemy, have performed acts of exceptional dedication, the duration of these services having spanned one year (Decree of December 2, 1917); Deserving communities (whose members were are not allowed to wear the ribbon or individual medal by decree of December 2, 1917); Citizens of Alsace and Lorraine who were deported, exiled or imprisoned, before August 1, 1914, by German authorities because of their attachment to France and those in the departments occupied themselves, for their courageous stand while exposed to reprisals (Decree of 1 April 1922); and Prisoners of war, civilian prisoners, hostages and deportees because of exceptional acts courage and dedication for the allied cause. The inhabitants of occupied areas or Alsace and Lorraine who helped these people (decrees of 29 November 1926 and December 8, 1928)

The decoration was awarded in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze

The decoration was awarded in two different designs: Type I by Jules Desbois (for Great War awardees) and Type II (for Second World War wardees) by Maurice Delannoy. It has been estimated that an estimated 15,000 people and communities were recipients of this award

This decoration is now obsolete, with the last award being issued on February 14, 1959.

Rare seen as a 1st Class award

Condition: GVF

Code: 20783

SOLD

France: Colonial Medal (Medaille Coloniale). 1st 'Premier Type' medal with bi-face wreath suspension. With 2 x clasps of the 'clapet' type 'Madagascar' & 'Senegal et Soudan'

France: Madagascar Medal (1st Expedition) 1883-1886 (Medaille Du Madagascar 1883-86). 1st Type medal

France: 'Boxer Rebellion' China War Medal 1900-1901 (Medaille De Chine 1900-1901). With clasp (agrafe) '1900 Chine 1901'

France: Legion of Honour (La Legion D'Honneur). 5th Class 'Chevalier' (Knight) breast badge in silver, gilt & enamel. An award of the 3rd Republic (circa 1870-1940). With '1870' obverse date

France: Military Medal (Medaille Militaire). 1st type. 2nd Empire 'Emperor Louis Napoleon' issue 1852-1870

France: Military Medal (Medaille Militaire). 3rd Republic, 1870-1940 type

France: Cross of War 1914-1917 (Croix De Guerre 1914-1917). With 1 x Bronze Palm citation emblem. Reverse of cross dated 1914-1917

France: War Cross for Exterior Theatres of Operation (Croix de Guerre des Theatres d'Operations Exterieurs (T.O.E.). With 1 x 'Bronze Palm' citation emblem

France: Escapers Medal (Medaille des Evades). With 'Wound' emblem on riband

France: Medal of French Recognition 1914-1918 (Medaille De La Reconnaissance Francaise 1914-1918). 1st type. 1st Class 'Gilt' medal with silk rosette