France, Iii Republic. A Military Medal, C.1918

(Médaille Militaire). Instituted in 1852. Type III with Uniface Trophy-of-Arms. In silver gilt with blue enamels, dual cornucopia hallmarked and marked with a "1" between the cornucopias on the obverse, measuring 27.3 mm (w) x 46.3 mm (h) inclusive of its trophy-of-arms suspension, intact enamels, gilt wear evident on the obverse, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Military Medal is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. It is the third highest award of the French Republic, after the Légion d'honneur, a civil and military order, and the Ordre de la Libération, a Second World War only order. It is therefore the most senior entirely military active French decoration. The award was established on January 22, 1852 by the first President of the French Republic, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who may have taken his inspiration from a medal established and awarded by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland. During the First World War One, 230,000 medals were awarded, when 1,400,000 French Army soldiers were killed and 3,000,000 were wounded. After the First World War, the Military Medal was also temporarily awarded for wounds received in combat