France: Colonial Medal (la Medaille Coloniale). Second type official Paris Mint medal with single sided wreath suspension. With two clasps 'Maroc' & 'Sahara'

The medal is of the second official Paris Mint type with single sided suspension wreath

Medal with Paris Mint twin 'Cornucopia' logos and numeral '2' in between, on reverses of medal

The official clasps are of the type by Paris maker 'Mourgeon'

'Maroc': The clasp was instituted on 28 April 1914, and was awarded for numerous specified campaigns and punitive expeditions that took place in Morocco between 1912-1938

'Sahara': The clasp was instituted on 26 September 1900, and was awarded for numerous qualifying campaigns across the 'Sahara Desert' region between 1880-1936

The 'Sahara' clasp, most closely resonates with the classic 'Beau Geste' images of the French Foreign Legion, or La Legion Etrangere - and other specialist 'Desert Corps' - that participated in numerous desert campaigns across the 'Maghreb'

A medal with real character, the faded riband, polished obverse and reverse dark patina, conjurs-up images of legionnaire veteran relaxing in retirement in his smoke-filled room, his medal on the wall, fondly remembering across the years his desert services in the distant sands of the Sahara

The stitched silk riband, faded

Condition: VF

Code: 24198