Indian Order of Merit: 1st type (1837-1911) 3rd Class breast badge. With integral riband buckle brooch

Sold together with its original plush morocco fitted hinged (a.f) case of issue. This with bright silk and velvet interiors, together with makers name in gilt letters on the silk panel 'J. W. Benson, Ltd, Ludgate Hill, London.'

The insignia engraved on reverse in three lines '3rd Class Order of Merit' and below with makers marks 'J. W. Benson Ltd, Ludgate Hill, London' below

Reference the multi volume 'Indian Order of Merit Historical Records 1837-1947' (Cliff Parrett & Rana Chhina), the IOM insignia in all three classes was, in 1905, contracted from the London makers, 'J. W. Benson Ltd, Ludgate Hill, London'. The first delivery of the 'Benson' insignia were delivered to British India in 1906, with further orders in each of the next 10-11 years thereafter. For the period through to end of 1911, Benson's supplied the insignia for all 3 x classes of the Indian Order of Merit, and thereafter, between 1912-1916, only supplied 1st & 2nd Classes of the award

At the Delhi Durbar of 1911, the King Emperor announced that future forward the native 'All-Ranks', of the British Indian Army were to be eligible for the Victoria Cross. Consequently the old 'Gold' 1st Class of the Indian Order of Merit was to be abolished, and the remaining two classes were renumbered to become 1st and 2nd Classes of the Indian Order of Merit. Per Army Department Notification No. 757 of 3 August 1912, retrospective to 12 December 1911, awards of the third class of the Indian Order of Merit were no longer awarded, and the new 're-classified' 1st and 2nd classes only, were to be awarded

Basis above, only an estimated 39 x 3rd Class IOM's - awarded with Benson's makers marks - were awarded in the period 1905-06 through to end of 1911 - mostly awards for the North West Frontier Campaigns of 1908 (Zakka Khel Afridis & Mohmands), the Abor Expedition 1911 on the North East Frontier, and minor incidents elsewhere on the North West Frontier

With native ranks of the Indian Army being made eligible for the Victoria Cross from 1912, the Indian Order of Merit was re-designed, and reduced to two classes only, marked 1st and or 2nd Class respectively on the reverse. The London maker Benson, was further contracted to make IOM insignia for both classes (1st & 2nd) of the re-designed Indian Order of Merit, and those were issued from stock through to 1915, including many awards to the Indian all-ranks of the Indian Corps in France 1914-15

An extremely rare type of insignia, by maker 'Benson' only manufactured 1906-1911 during which time only an estimated 39 x awards of the 3rd Class IOM were made.

With only a few enamel chips, otherwise in very good condition

The case of issue with damaged hinge (a/f), and exterior wear and scuffs

Condition: The insignia GVF

Code: 24587