Afghanistan Victorian Medal Group

[Guest Darrell]

Another recent purchase arrived today. Included was the Afghanistan Medal (w/ Kandahar + Ahmed Khel Clasps) plus the Kabul to Kandahar Star awarded to a Sergeant Thomas Penn of the 2/60th FOOT.

A GVI Issue Imperial Service Medal was also part of the group, but (thanks to Michael ) it appears this belonged to his son.

I will be receiving some paper work on this one in the next couple of weeks that should explain everything (fingers crossed). Until then, here is what I have so far.

1. Afghanistan Medal

Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Clasps:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse. As is often seen with the Egypt Medals (with damage done by the Khedives Star), the Afghan Medal took a kicking from it's often paired mate - The Kabul to Kandahar Star:

Edited November 3, 2009 by Darrell

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

A few pictures of the Script Engraving on the rim:

a.

[Guest Darrell]

b.

[Guest Darrell]

c.

[Guest Darrell]

d.

[Guest Darrell]

Next up, the Kabul to Khandahar Star. This was awarded to all those who took part in the March from kabul to Khandahar in August 1880 and thus to anyone who earned the KANDAHAR Clasp to the Afghan Medal. Supposedly made from the Bronze metal of the guns captured from the Afghan Rebels during the final battle for Kandahar.

Obverse:

Edited November 3, 2009 by Darrell

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse;

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of the Reverse, including the nicely impressed naming around the center of the Medal:

60/1378 SERGT. THOs PENN 20/60 FOOT

The scan does not show the good details in the naming. Very nicely done on these stars.

Edited November 3, 2009 by Darrell

[Guest Darrell]

Finally the Imperial Service Medal GVI Issue, likely his son's. I will know more when the paper work comes.

Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse.

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse.

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse.

[Guest Darrell]

Block Stamped Naming on Rim:

[Guest Darrell]

Here is a Picture vs. the Scan of the Reverse of the Star. It shows the naming much better :cheers:

[Pagan]

Very nice Darrell especially the Star and naming

[Michael Johnson]

I like the son's story! (The Shadow knows!)

Be good to see how accurate my hypothesis is.

[Guest Darrell]

Very nice Darrell especially the Star and naming

Thanks Mate. :cheers:

[Guest Darrell]

I like the son's story! (The Shadow knows!)

Be good to see how accurate my hypothesis is.

Yep, we shall see ...

[Mervyn Mitton]

Darrell - you have been fortunate to find some rare and interesting medals for your collection. I have an original copy of the Illustrated London News for 1879 and will post a few contemporary pictures of this campaign.

I think this current one in Afghanistan is the fourth - why we keep getting involved I just don't understand ? The 1879 one, we were fighting them and the Zulus - we certainly liked a challenge.

[Guest Darrell]

......I have an original copy of the Illustrated London News for 1879 and will post a few contemporary pictures of this campaign..........

Thanks Meryvn, that would fit in nicely with this thread.