paul wood

Thanks Alexander, the only image I have seen of a reverse was plain but it was comparatively crudely made and thus possibly unofficial. All the best, Paul

I think it may be the kalima, the standard profession of the Islamic faith. p

The ribbon is a fanciful guess and is in fact a Ghuznee 39 ribbon. given the survival rate,say with the Hazarajat medal which in silver appears not infrequently, suggests that it was awarded sparingly. Also threr are at east 2 gold Hazarajat medals recorded, which were presumably awarded to field officerd. I would anticipate a few gold specimens of this medal at least at dome time existed. P

looks like the large officers gold I have seen them for neck wrar. paul

Am I going blind? cant see any marks. p

I have discovered it was awarded for the sack (virtual genocide) and annexation of Maimana in the north by the kigdom of Kabul in 1876. It is a crudely made uniface starshaped medal with central toughra amd inscription. I was unable to access the image for copying purposes. P

It will be post 21 dec as medals are at present inacessable p

Telge did similar jewelled examples of Bulgarian orders. p

I have a Khan Sahib and Khan Bahadur pair to Munshi Ahmad Bukhsh GOI New Years Honours 1915 amd Birthday Honours 1917 paul

The forum which Ed hosts is SAGONGS. I have been a member of the forum for 15 years. For anyone who has any interest in the ODM of the subcontinent it is a treasure house of knowledge. All you ever wanted ( or didnt even know you wanted) to know. p

One of them I believe belongs to a German with afghani connections. Why 1876 the only event I have any knowledge of for that year in Afghani history is the visit of the Russian legation which was one of the contributory factors to the 2nd Afghan war. p

There was not one inthe Tamman collection (2008) or the Morton and Eden sale 2017. Must be extremely rare. p Part of my reply went it is illustrated in a private work but only minimal info given

Here's one I would commit larceny for. DNW (or Buckland Dix and Wood as it was then) November 1991, Sultan of Zanzibar's Medal, no clasp (Amadu Koloman, Indian Contingent). Paul

marvellous, thanks so much p

has anyone ever seen the sultans medal named? p

That was a bit fowl Chris. p

How can one join? I would surely pull the ladies so attired P

Good order to collect. relatively inexpensive and the quality is generally very good. Founded by Willem II of tne Netherlands as grand Duke of Luxemburg. It was awarded in large numbers to Dutch recipients by his son and virtually all pre 1891 insignia is Dutch made . on the accession of Grand Duke Adolphe in 1890 it was a purely Luxemburg order with occaisional honorary awards to foreigners. Any of your pieces marked? P

25th anniversary 1973-98 I think Yemen Arab Republic buy no idea what it commemorates. I suspect Owain will know. Paul

many painters did the face from life and the remainder from memory often employing a student to apply the finishing touches and as we all know after a few bottles of wine the memory is often less than reliable p

They look like various society medals for which the germans were famed p

Yes these EU medals lower the tone of a decent british group. They make the UN medal look ilke an artistic masterpiece. p

there is. One must be very careful when buying early French medals as from the later part of the 19th century Paris mint restrikes (the early ones are very good) are stamped on the rims OR ARGENT or BRONZE, some dishonest people hzve been known to skilfully file these off. While the restrikes are collectae, they are worth considerably less

i am sure it is the order of merit of the bavarian crown, ribbon matches. Painters are noted for getting depictions of orders wrong I frequently advise painting experts on orders and if I had £10 for every incorrectly depicted order on a painting, even by top painters I have encountered I would have long since retired to Barbados. P

A gold example of the bronze medal appeared in auction about 20 years ago. p