Mongolia Inner Mongolian Awards

[Ed_Haynes]

Not sure this belongs (but, then, neither does the Order of the Vajra). Also this is not in hand yet, but it is on its way to come live with me. I wanted to post a preliminary picture.

Inner Mongolia - Military Merit Decoration

Created approximately 20 March 1938 By Prince Teh Wang (Temujin) as the main military merit award (roughtly comparable to the Japanese Order of the Golden Kite) of the puppet "free" government of Inner Mongolia established by the Japanese in those parts of Mongolia under their occupation (Suiyan, Chahar, and Ninghsia) after their occupation of Manchuria/Manchuguo.

It would SEEM that this award was issued in three classes:

1- 48 mm, silver-gilt, enameled red (as shown below, and soon my guest)

2- 42 mm silver-gilt, enameled blue

3- 38 mm, silver, enameled blue

And, yes, it is Chengiz Khan in the centre.

More images when in hand. It is cased.

References:

Peterson, Orders and Medals of Japan, 3rd ed., p. 171.

Edited August 3, 2006 by Ed_Haynes

[Bob]

I recently tracked down a cased Foundation of Nation medal at an online auction. Placed a bid weeks in advance... received confirmation of my bid... only to later see that the final hammer price was MUCH lower than my bid. Auction house had screwed up and ignored my bid. I'm still trying to decide whether to get extremely angry or extremely sad... nothing as annoying as coming close after a long hunt and then losing due to a screw up like this

[Bob]

It's my lucky day... it arrived after all... in a very nice although delicate case. Interesting reverse clasp system also.

[Bob]

Box outside - notice the Uighir (I believe) description on left vs. Japanese on right.

[Bob]

here it is on outside then

[Ed_Haynes]

Box. (I think I have it the right side up?)

[Ed_Haynes]

Obverse.

[Ed_Haynes]

Reverse.

[Ed_Haynes]

Box interior.

[Ralph A]

Reminds me of a Japanese wound badge.

[Ed_Haynes]

Reminds me of a Japanese wound badge.

I'd agree, except that this was created in March 1938 (but when were the insigniae actually struck?), while the familiar (type 2) Shoigunjinsho wound badges were created in August 1938. As with so many other things, we need to know more.

[Bob]

Great piece. Curious about the box - leather? wood?

[Ed_Haynes]

Great piece. Curious about the box - leather? wood?

Wood, and very solidly made. Will drag out the camera and try some shots. Much more robust than usual Japanese boxes.