British North Borneo Company Medal 1897-1916. Bronze issue with clasp 'Punitive Expedition'

An un-named and un-attributed medal struck by Spink & Son  London

With makers name 'Spink & Son - London' in reverse exergue

The clasp was awarded for the 'Punitive Expedition' carried out in December 1897, in British North Borneo

Reference, British Battles & Medals' (Hayward, Birch & Bishop, 7th Edition, Spink, 2006) it is stated that all medals were originally supplied un-named, for naming to be carried out locally. Spink records indicate that  only 13 x silver & 75 bronze medals with this clasp were initially struck & supplied. of those Of those medals, 12 silver medals with clasp were to be issued to officers, and 74 x bronze medals with clasps were to be issued to Sikh & Sugat 'Other-Ranks'. Circa 1905-06 recipients of the bronze medals were authorised to exchange their bronze medals for silver awards. It is not known how many recipients of the bronze issue medals applied for the exchange, however what is known is that 24 x impressed named medals were supplied in 1905;  a further 10 x unnamed silver medal were supplied in 1906 and another 12 were supplied in 1909

The medal and clasp for 'Punitive Expedition' was the earliest campaign medal to be issued by the British North Borneo Company. The medal & clasp was awarded for a punitive expedition against Mat Saleh, that was conducted by Mr Hewett, the Resident of Labuan, who led an expedition comprised of a small number of British North Borneo Company officers, 38 x Sikhs, together with local Sugat policemen and the personnel who handled a ingle 7 x pounder gun 

An attractive example of & rare campaign medal

Loose suspension claw

Condition: GVF

Code: 26328