Medal of the Veterans of 1870-1871 with clasp '1870-1871' (Médaille des Veterans de 1870-1871 avec agrafe '1870-1871')

A uniface medal with 'Trophy of Arms' obverse and below a scroll legend ‘Oublier Jamais’ (Never Forget), with dated gilt clasp ‘1870-1871’ on original stitched silk riband, and as worn

A national society of veterans of the 1870-1871 war against Prussia (Germany) was established on 1 January 1893, by Commandant Charet. It met with huge patriotic success, attaining a membership of more than 300,000 within ten years. The medal with the ‘1870-1871’ bar signifies that this example was for a veteran who had served under fire in 'combat' during the conflict

With no official campaign medal instituted until 1911, the 'Medal of the Veterans', was, when worn in public, an important & immediate source of identification of veterans of the Franco-Prussian War

Condition: GVF

Code: 21151