France: Colonial Medal 1893-1962, silver and unmarked but as produced by Lemaitre of Paris, Second Official Type, 1914-1962, with ball suspension, and the silver clasp for Maroc (Morocco), this being an intermediary example as it is of the stylised form usually seen on the Medal for Maroc 1909, but almost certainly as issued with this medal, and indicative of an early award to a recipient of the Maroc clasp to the Colonial Medal. Complete with original ribbon affixed to a top bar with ball finials. An interesting example of type.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
The medal was established on 26 July 1893 and awarded to military personnel who participated in operations in French colonies and protectorates. In all, there were 50 different campaign bars. It became defunct on 6 June 1962, being replaced by the Overseas Medal (Médaille d’Outre-Mer).
The ‘Maroc’ (Morocco) bar was instituted by the decree of 28 April 1914 initially to be awarded to those who served in a theatre of operations in Morocco with the societies for the military wounded for two successive months between 20 July 1912 and 31 December 1913 and to civil functionaries and Moroccan auxiliaries at Marrakech between 17 August and 7 September 1912. Subsequent decrees extended its award to those involved in security and other operations between 1914 and 1925, in the Rif War 1921-1926 and in further operations from 20 May 1927 up to 1938.
