France What we have here?

[Noor]

Picked it up as a extra with ribbon bars deal. So, what we have here.... hands up, I have 0 knowledge about French awards

Some kind social merit award? Civilain?

[Piramida]

To me it seems to be the knights cross(3rd class the order had 3 classes knight, officer and commander) of the french order of social merit. It was established in 1936 and abolished in 1963 with the institution of the national order of merit.

Ivan

[Christophe]

Ivan is perfectly correct.

It is the "Ordre du M?rite Social", in French.

Your medal is for a knight (Chevalier).

You can see more here :

http://www.france-phaleristique.com/accueil.htm

On the pic are the two grades of Chevalier and Officier. Not shown is the Commander.

Cheers.

Ch.?

Pic : www.france-phaleristique.com

[Bison]

Yes it is one of the most common medals we can find in France (for now). But note it is one of the most unfamiliar, even for the French.

It has been largely disseminated between 1936 and 1963. A lot of manufacturers got it. Therefore, there are a lot of different models.

For example, the official model (officer) is like this... look at the differences with the models above. The obvious one are the buttons, not present on the regular model, but there are many others:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2008/post-2068-1226426479.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2008/post-2068-1226426494.jpg

Cheers

Bison

[Noor]

Thanks guys for the excellent information! :jumping:

[palencia]

...A chevalier class in box

[Bison]

The stars made by jewellers are the best choice, and you are lucky palencia, there is one.

Here is another, made by Aubert, with the center in gold in two parts on the observe :

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2008/post-2068-1230486482.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2008/post-2068-1230486496.jpg

Edited December 28, 2008 by Bison

[Bison]

And another view to see the jeweller's work on the gold parts of the observe :

[palencia]

Beautiful star, Bison

[Francois]

Tr?s belle m?daille ..