TOPIC:

David

Locating that China Medal tucked away in a shoebox in Phoenix would be the find of the year!

While still at the Natural Science Museum, I tried to interest one of the Museum Volunteers in medals awarded to Indians. The lack of success in finding any doomed the project. The woman concerned even spent time on one of her frequent visits to India in hunting for medals of any description in shops and markets, again with no success. She could not be blamed for losing interest in medal collecting as a hobby.

Regards
Brett

Hi David,

I did notice this last time round. I see an unnamed bronze every couple of years. Certainly I do not take note of them.( For all I know it may be the same one doing the rounds). I am sure it is not worth the asking price. Burman had one to the Faridkot Lancers for less than that and more of a story last weekend. (Does anyone have a contact in Faridkot?)

I am sure plenty were issued in South Africa to deserving "natives". Waiting on the "Native" committee from KZN to report in. Very keen on their findings which might be the QSA research story of the century.

ATB
David

David & David,

I was told of this medal and I was interested, simply as an example of an unnamed Bronze QSA. A few such medals may have unofficially reached deserving recipients in Natal, and any unnamed medal would serve to fill that gap in my collection. However, the unequal thickness of the rim seemed to indicate a skimmed medal, so the gap will remain unfilled.

Regards
Brett

David, David and Brett
From here in OZ the only unnamed bronze QSAs seen by myself have been on dealers lists or on a certain on-line auction site. Probably more on the latter than the former. I seem to recall one on Burman and the example I illustrated earlier on this topic came from Mark at Aberdeen Medals this year. I have no connection with Mark of Aberdeen Medals other than to say that he is on my "favorites" list. The pic of the unnamed bronze job on post 16351 does not really allow me to offer an opinion re its rim. Some silver QSAs look as if their rim is a bit thin at c. 5 o'clock - but check out OK on the micrometer. The unnamed bronze QSA I earlier posted is definitely not skimmed/renamed. The diameter x 3 is 1.430 - 1.431.
I find the unnamed bronze QSA to be more than a little interesting. I will probably be swamped with pics of unnamed silver QSA's; however the only one I have ever seen here is in my safekeeping and has 26 bars on it! Thus, the unnamed bronze QSA is an enigma.
Perhaps examples just missed out being named in India, or indeed were issued to deserving "natives" unnamed, or else escaped from a museum/display. I live in hope that a forum member might stumble across a reference which might explain the very occasional unnamed bronze QSA.
Until then - as far as I am concerned - so long as an example measures out OK and swivels, then it is what it is.
Regards to all
IL.

Good Morning Linney......

I will not send a large number of pictures but just mention that I also have two un-named QSA's.....

One the same as you with all 26 Bars and the other a Dated Reverse with the correct bars for the Strathcona's Horse......

Mike

I think there must be a recognised distinction between the silver and bronze medals.
The silver medals were issued named from the mint so un named specimens may be for purposes other than presentation to recipients and are few and far between. Impressed and engraved examples.

Bronze medals were issued in bulk from London un-named to South Africa were many were issued to recipients. As no formal naming procedures were in place, many were issued "as is" unless named "Cape Named" by jewellers in Cape Town. The majority continued their journey to India where formal naming and issuing procedures had been in place for many years. Very much more common than the silver medal.

My experience ( and I would love a more authoritative voice ) of naming on bronze medals:-
1.Un-named - issued in bulk to South Africa and remained in South Africa for distribution to "native participants"
1a.Cape Named to 7(? - there is a reference somewhere to coloured participants)
1b.Privately named - there is one to a casualty of Mafeking that I am aware of.
2. Named in cursive script to Indian participants in India and distributed from there from stock forwarded from South Africa.
3.Named in impressed block capitals at the Mint to Servants , European and Indian, and members of the Indian Ordinance Corps and Hospital Corps.
4. Toad Hall naming and other flights of fantasy.