Is this GSM officially named?

[gilesforrest]

Some time ago I was luckily able to purchase off a medal collector some of my ancestor's war medals (which came to my attention out of the blue - he didn't know until I'd bought them they were my ancestor's). To my knowledge he'd been awarded the QSA (with clasps), 1914-15 Star, BWM, and VM.

The medals I purchased was the BWM, VM and a GSM with Kurdistan Clasp.

The GSM confused me because according to his RAF records he'd "relinquished commission" on 9th January 1919 - which is before the qualification dates to earn an GSM with Kurdistan Clasp.

Is it possible someone (maybe my ancestor) took an erased GSM and had his name impressed on it?

Hopefully the photos attached will help draw a conclusion?

Many thanks,

Giles

 

Edited February 12, 2016 by gilesforrest
Typo

[gilesforrest]

Here's some other George V GSM engraved names for comparison - it appears some variety of font style and spacing is possible. The first few medals pictured below have the greatest similarity in terms of font:

 

 

[bigjarofwasps]

Don't quote me, but I seem to recall that Indian army GSMs were minted in India and are slightly thinner than the British army GSMs which were minted in the UK.

 

To me your RAF GSM seems genuine, HOWEVER, the scratches/dints on the RAF portion, would need closer inspection, possibly renamed? But I'm no expert. 

[paul wood]

Without a detailed and enlarged version of the naming it is impossible to be absolutely certain but I can't see anything obviously wrong. The Indian issues were struck in Calcutta and vary from the British.

Paul