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