China Medal 1857-60. With clasp 'Taku Forts 1860' (J. Down, A.B., H.M.S. Snap.)
A Unique Officially Named Medal to Ship: This is the only officially named (impressed) Second Opium War China Medal that was ever issued to any of the recipients who were crew members of the Royal Navy 'Gunboat' H.M.S. Snap
During its commission in the East Indies & Far East H.M.S. Snap qualified for one campaign medal, i.e., Second China War Medal 1857-60, with or without clasp
Taku Forst 1860' only
ain theatre between medalH.M.S. Snap officially named / impressed medal
As a measure of how rare on the market are even un-named but positively attributed Second Opium War' medals to H.M.S. Snap, the great Naval collector Captain Kenneth Douglas Morris (who over many years set out to obtain an example of every campaign medal and clasp to each participating ship of the Royal Navy), never owned any medals that could be positively attributed to H.M.S. Snap, let alone own this particular unique officially named medal
At the time of qualifying for his medal and clasp, the recipient John Down, held the rate of Able Seaman while serving on the Gunboat H.M.S. Snap
Medal & Clasp Verification: Entitlement and confirmation of this unique medal and clasp is verified per the respective Admiralty Medal Rolls referenced below:
- China Medal 1857-60 H.M.S. Snap: ADM 171/34. A total of 41 x Officers, Warrant Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Rates entitled to the medal
- Clasp 'Taku Forts 1860' H.M.S. Snap: A total of 38 x clasps to Officers, Warrant Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Rates entitled to clasp
Of the 40 medals issued, all - except the named medal offered here - were issued 'un-named' variously between 1862-1868, and mostly in the years 1862-1864, and only one of those was marked on the roll(s) showing that a 'Duplicate' medal & clasp was additionally issued, viz the medal to Private William Munn of the Royal Marines (his original medal sent on 27/09/62, and the duplicate sent same date on 27/09/64)
The medal here offered to Able Seaman John Down, is shown on the rolls as sent to party on, 3 June 1912
H.M.S. Snap: Was a wooden screw gunboat of the 'Dapper' Class. Of only 232 tons, the gunboat was armed with 3 x guns. Launched 3 February 1855. After service in China, where it was part of the Gunboat squadron present at the Taku Forts 1860, in 1868 H.M.S. Snap was sold to Japan, where she was subsequently re-named 'Katu Ten Kan' of the Imperial Japanese Navy
A unique opportunity to obtain a one of a kind China Medal to a Gunboat for the Second Opium War
Condition: About EF
Code: 24756