Ireland: Emergency Medal 1939-45. On 'Armed Forces' riband. With ornate integral top bar and 1 x further service dated clasp '1939-1946'. This the variant issue (miniature medal)

A contemporary bronze gilt medal

Complete with its integral top brooch bar. The reverse with hinged pin & clasp fittings as issued

The medal was instituted on 6 October 1944 to reward service in the uniformed services, both regular, volunteer, and qualifying civilian services 1939-1946, which is referred to in Ireland as the ‘Emergency Period’. The medal was issued with 2 x different ribands, and had eleven variations of the reverse for different service units. This example in miniature has the riband for the full-time Defence Forces, comprising the Army, Air Corps and Navy. A minimum of two years’ service was required to gain this medal and the ‘1939 - 1946’ bar was awarded for an additional two years’ service. This example was therefore awarded for service throughout the six-year period. In practice, it was not until 1947 that the medal was manufactured and distributed

Variant issue: This example offered has no reverse legend, only the 'Olive Branch' and dates 1939-1946

An uncommon seen Irish 'variant' miniature medal 

Condition: EF

Code: 25297