Select Category
The medal, has the designers name 'Barre' on obverse This example with French silver assay marks (poincon) on cross tie of bow on reverse wreath The medal suspended from a good clean length of corded silk riband, with the distinctive embroidered 'Mexican Eagle' crest Note: The Mexican Eagle badge on the medal ribbon was subsequently incorporated and used as the regimental badge of the Legion Etrangere - the French Foreign Legion. The Legion having fought one of it's most epic fights at the battle of 'Camerone' during the Mexican Expedition Condition: About GVF
Code: 18657
185.00 GBP
The large and impressive silver, gilt & enamel insignia has dimensions approximately 82mm including wreath suspension x 62mm The insignia is fitted with a full size silk 'moire' neck cravat riband, with silk 'ties' Contained in leather bound plush hinged case of issue. The case ith the name of the order in gilt tooled letters on outside upper lid of case This is the type of insignia awarded from circa 1870-1946, and of the design awarded to senior 'Allied Officers', from Great Britain, the British Empire and Dominion Forces in both 'World Wars' Condition: Some minor chips & wear to enamel otherwise GVF
Code: 20570
475.00 GBP
An early post-war ordnance issue of the 'Ordre De La Liberation' With French 'Paris Mint' Cornucopia and 'Bonze' metal hallmark on underside of left side of planchet The insignia weights approx 36 grammes Per specifications cited by the Museum of the Order of Liberation describes the insignia as a rectangular polished bronze escutcheon measuring 33 mm in height and 30 mm in width, bearing a double-edged sword 60 mm in height and 7 mm in width, extending beyond it above and below and overlain with a black Lorraine cross Important: The Ordre De La Liberation - the second highest ranking award in the French order of precedence - was established by a decree issued by General De Gaulle of the 'Free French' at Brazzaville, Congo, on 16 November 1940. The very first insignia was awarded on 1941, and the last was presented in 1946. In total there were only 1061 x awards made, including 103 x to individual recipients, 18 x to regiments, vessels, squadrons and 6 x to cities. The contract to strike the medals was awarded to the London firm of 'John Pinches', on behalf of the Free French Government in Exile (the latter being based in London during the war years following the fall of France in June 1940). After the liberation of Paris on 25 August 1944, the Paris Mint obtained the remaining balance of London made insignia and when they were exhausted started to strike their own insignia, from late 1944. Paris Mint issues are always marked the Paris Mint trademark 'Cornucopia' and metal hallmarks 'Br' or 'Bronze' The original silk riband fitted with a two-pronged mounting pin or 'epingle' as worn in the traditional French style A good example of the most evocative - and inspirational - of all French Orders, Decorations and Medals Condition: About EF
Code: 20569
175.00 GBP
The medal with Paris Mint 'Cornucopia' and bronze metal assay marks on reverse Note: Prior to 2016 there was no 'official' wound medal - the authorised 'Wound' insignia was originally a riband only with a red enamelled star. Later the protocol was to wear the approved red enamelled star 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 left the services, did as they pleased many opting to wear the unofficial medals, while others wore the 'Wound Stars' on the ribands of the respective campaign medals for the campaigns in which they had been wounded. In 2016 after many years of clamour for change, the French authorities approved the award of an official wound medal, the recently introduced medal using the the original 'Wound' ribbon of the Great War, and the common design of the hitherto unofficial wound medal that had been worn by veterans since 1918 The silk riband attached to a two pronged mounting pin (epingle) as -worn in the traditional French style Condition: EF
Code: 20568
SOLD
The ordnance issue silk riband fitted with 1 x clasp (see image), 1 x emblem & 1 x insignia Issued to commemorate the French colonial wars in Vietnam in the period 1945-1953 - including the heroic, if ill-fated, defence of Dien Bien Phu - the latter battle immortalized by the staunch defence put up by the French garrison comprised of Foreign Legion, Paras and Colonial Forces, and being the defeat that effectively brought to an end the history of French colonisation in Indo-China As testimony to the carnage at Dien Bien Phu, the below following are the estimated casualties incurred (The Viet-Minh killed & wounded figures are based on French estimates) - France & French Colonial Forces: 2,293 Killed & 4,436 Wounded - France & French Colonial Forces: 1,729 Missing - France & French Colonial Forces: 11,721 Captured (inc 4,436 Wounded) - Viet-Minh: 8,000 Killed & 15,000 Wounded - Viet-Minh: 792 x Missing Wound Emblem: Prior to 2016 there was no 'official' wound medal - the authorised 'Wound' insignia was originally a riband only with a red enamelled star. Later the protocol was to wear the approved red enamelled star 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 left the services, did as they pleased many opting to wear the unofficial medals, while others wore the 'Wound Stars' on the ribands of the respective campaign medals for the campaigns in which they had been wounded. In 2016 after many years of clamour for change, the French authorities approved the award of an official wound medal, the recently introduced medal using the original 'Wound' ribbon of the Great War, and the common design of the hitherto unofficial wound medal that had been worn by veterans since 1918 The silk riband attached to a two pronged mounting pin (epingle) as -worn in the traditional French style A highly desirable medal, the more so to a veteran who had been 'Wounded-in-Action' during the largest battle of the French Indochina War Condition: About EF
Code: 20567
With scarce early Paris maker marks (poincons) for 'Adrien Chobillon' (1880-1956) Instituted in 1946 for awarded to military and civilian members of the Free French Forces who had volunteered and served before 3 June 1943, including - but not restricted to - the Legionnaires of General Monclair, the Colonials of General Leclerc serving in Libya and those of the 1st Free French Brigade of General Koenig which latter served with great distinction at 'Bir Hakeim' The silk riband attached to a two pronged mounting pin (epingle) as -worn in the traditional French style Scarce seen early issue with 'Chobillon' maker marks Condition: EF
Code: 20566
Code: 20565
50.00 GBP
- Military Medal (Medaille Militaire). 4th Republic undated obverse - Combat Volunteers Cross. With clasp 'Afrique Du Nord'. - Combatants Cross. With 2nd Marine Parachute Regiment insignia - Medal of the Nations Gratitude with clasp 'Afrique Du Nord' - Medal for Order & Security. 'Algerie' 'Tunisie' & 'Wound' emblem Note: The red enamelled wound star was worn by French veterans to denote having been 'Wounded-in-Action' - a formal official 'Wound Medal' was only introduced by France in 2016. Prior to 2016, serving personnel who had been wounded were identified by the customary - and 'official' approved - wearing of 'Red enamelled' wound stars on the ribands of the respective campaign medals Important: 2e RPIMa - as a unit of North Africa based 10 Para Division - served exclusively in North Africa (including Suez Crisis of 1956) circa 1956-1962, and is confirmed as having 'Jumped' into Bizerte, Tunisia, in July 1961, where the Para's broke the Tunisian siege of the French airbase installations located there. In July 1961, the regiment jumped over Bizerte and broke the Tunisian siege of the French airport installations. The absence of the 'Near East' medal for Suez operations in 1956, indicates that the Para veteran of this medal group would have served with 2e RPIMa in the period circa 1957-1962 The 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (2e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 2e RPIMa) an airborne regiment of the French Army was created in 1947. The regiment is heir to the traditions of the 2nd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion 2eB.C.C.P. that had served in the Indochina War The medals mounted as-worn in the French style stitched in two rows suspended from a flock board, this with hinged blazer insert flap on reverse A superb French Colonial Para veteran group for North African service Condition: EF
Code: 20543
With official Paris Mint 'Cornucopia' logo and 'Bronze' marks on reverse Instituted in 1936, this retrospective award is estimated to have been awarded to approximately 11,000 civilians prisoners, hostages and deportees of the Great War Condition: Toned about EF
Code: 17304
Medal with official Paris Mint 'Cornucopia' logo and marks indented on reverse arms of cross The medal fitted and suspended form its original stitched silk riband Condition: GVF
Code: 18828
website designed and maintained by Concept500
