France: Colonial Medal (Medaille Coloniale). 1st type Paris Mint 'Premier Type' medal with bi-face wreath suspension. With 1 x clasp (agrafe) 'Nlle Caledonie'

Medal is of the first type with poincons / hallmarks including 'Sanglier' mark on double sided wreath suspension

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

The silver clasp of the scarce unofficial type by Parisian medal maker 'Arthus Bertrand' ' with makers mark stamped on the clasp backstrap

Nouvelle-Caledonie (New Caledonia): The official clasp 'Nouvelle-Caledeonie' was instituted by decree dated 6 March 1894, for retroactive service in various specified campaigns & operations conducted in the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia between 27 December 1853 to 31 December 1858; May-September 1859; 1861-1864; 1868-1869 & Kanak Insurrection of 1879. Further qualifying expeditions took place during the Great War between 3 to 9 September 1916, and finally 28 April 1917 to 31 January 1918

Note: The 'Un-official' clasps, all styled 'Nlle Caledonie' as opposed to 'Nouvelle-Caldeonie', were truck by Parisian medal makers, Arthus Bertrand, Chobillon & Lasne-Bacueville, respectively

This represents the last campaign service clasp awarded by the French for active 'colonial' combat service in the South Pacific islands regional

Scarce

Condition: GVF

Code: 21494