paul wood

The box is British I can make out Royal arms and London W. Could be a British made copy (as quite a few Brits received the order) but can't be sure without clearer picture of inside of the case.

Paul

Just a military white eagle lacking lacking 1883 reverse and in incorrect box not much use unless you have a spare reverse.

Paul

Thank you so much for the information.

Paul

It is French patriotic medal commemorating Marshal Patrice MacMahon Duke of Magenta (1808-93) who received his title and rank of field marshal for the French victory there in 1859. He fought in the Franco-Prussian war and was wounded at Sedan. He was involved in the suppression of the Paris Commune and was President of France 1873-77. I suspect the medal was issued around the time of the Franco-Prussian war.

Hope this helps,

Paul

Don't forget that Peru as with most of South America attracted many European settlers, adventurers and black sheep of the family during the 19th century. I have a friend in Hannover who is half-german, quarter-Chilean and a quarter cossack (the Chilean side was due to German evangelicals who fled Germany in the 19th century and found Southern Chile ideal for sheep farming). I can see no reason why an Austrian did not seek his fortune in Peru and later returned to his native land.

Paul

Is this a government or a society award? when was it founded and what are the details of the award.

Paul

Thanks for sharing this, a medal I have never encountered before.

Paul

No serious collector should be without Gritzner, quirky but still has it's uses even now,.

Paul

I suspect it is a Hanoverian maker's mark I doubt if there are any works on Hanoverian silver makers (bad enough for English provincial).

Paul

I think Hanoverian, the GV cypher would be for Georg V (1851-66) this would make more sense.

Paul

The medal is known in silver and bronze, from your illustration it appears to be lead or a lead alloy, if lead it is unofficial. Or is it just a bad photo and it is silver.

Paul

Yes they also seemed to have been solicitors re London Gazette

Paul

Not mentioned in Seedies rolls which give all naval honours and awards from 1939-60, Not in any of the DSO books from 1885-2008 unless Cyril is a nick name there are no Cyril Colbournes (or variations of the spelling of Colbourne) listed anywhere.

Paul

Nothing in the gazette (doesn't mean he's not there as the software company who did the search engine robbed them blind and it often tells lies). Will try other sources.

Paul

Peter,

Do you mean the stunning Ethiopian wife?

Paul

As I thought a Sevadjian piece. There were a lot of these found left over with other Ethiopian Orders after Haile Selassie got the boot. A lot of these ended up in Europe in the 80s mainly imported by a Greek who had an absolutely stunning Ethiopian wife (I still drool thinking of her) alas the various orders including copious quantities of the Holy Trinity and Menelik had no sashes or ribbons (at the time they were more difficult to obtain).

Paul

Portrait of yours truly before being awarded exemplary Beer Drinkers award

PAul

Sorry David,

I have only the rolls for clasps to the TFEM and the TEM, I thought they included the Efficiency Medal. The medals and clasps are issued under Army Order

I used to know a good researcher for Territorial material but alas he has been afflicted by anno domini. I suspect another member of the forum will be able to tell you where to get the details.

Paul

Mark is right I suspect it is a an error in the die, this happens from time to time. There is definitely no AOO abreviation. As his BWM and Victory was returned you have his complete medal issue.

All the best,

Paul

Very nice indeed, scarce combination. I assume you have the AOs for the Efficiency Medal and bars.

I have no idea why MYB does not price subsequent bars. They are more common than the earlier incarnations especially as war service counted as double, so virtually all GV and GVI Efficiency medal holders saw service in WWII, however while single efficiency medal are relatively common on the market and are priced based on the unit, so for example and RA will make £40-50, while a small Yeomanry unit will make a fair bit more, Efficiency Medals with clasps tend not to turn up frequently as singles, they are almost always in groups, which tends to makes sense when you consider that many of the GV and GVI will have seen both First and Second War service. Re MYB the person who does the prices ( a well known dealer north of the Trent) possibly couldn't be bothered.

If you haven't got the AO's for the Efficiency Medal and Bars I can get them for you.

Paul

Translation is always an approximate art, with the exception of profanities which tend to translate well, which is probably why I am able to swear fluently in several languages but can barely speak a comprehensible sentence in any of them.

Paul

ESM stands for Educationally Subnormal ( a polite description for the school dunces).

Paul

Those in education will know what ESM means.

Paul

It's almost as if somebody broke into a Jap collector's home took what he could and then listed it any old how. Whoever the vendor is he is certainly ESM.

Paul

Looks like you are not a big fan of " high achiever" variant

High Achiever is something you would expect of a McDonald's or other US corporate employees and it usually comes with a silly hat or badge. Mind you a friend of mine did his philosophy degree doped out of his head and got a first so I suppose he would have been a high achiever. Exemplary means that your achievement is an example to others to seek to emulate, very much in line with good Marxist-Leninist philosophy

Comrade Paul exemplary beer drinker.