France: Colonial Medal (Medaille Coloniale). 2nd type Paris Mint medal with uni-face wreath suspension. With 2 x clasps (agrafes) 'Ethiopie' & 'Cote Des Somalies'

Medal is of the official second type without Paris Mint marks on reverse of medal comprising twin 'Cornucopia' logos with numeral '1' between on the rim of medal

Both clasps are of the official style by Parisian maker 'Arthus-Bertrand'

Ethiopie (Ethiopia): The clasp was instituted on 1 August 1942, in respect of services by the Free French Forces (FFL)in support of the British Empire forces that fought against & defeated Italian Forces in Ethiopia 1941-42

Cote Des Somalies: A complex clasp. First instituted on 6 June 1934, in respect of colonial punitive expeditions in theatre between 1934-37. The clasp was subsequently re-introduced on 13 September 1941, by the Vichy French and awarded for 6 months service in French Somaliland between 1940-41 (during the time of the British Royal Navy blockade during the Second World War). In 1944, the whe wearing of the clasp 'Cote Des Somalies' in respect of these latter Vichy services was prohibited by the Free French Government in Exile

Condition: Toned GVF

Code: 21474