Canada, Commonwealth. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal, B.e. Lane

Elizabeth II (B.E. LANE). In silver, naming is engraved in capitals, measuring 36.5 mm in diameter, original ribbon suspended from a tab style hanger with horizontal pinback, scattered silvering wear evident on the edge and the raised rim on the reverse, contact mark on the reverse, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, navy blue pebbled exterior, with a fire gilt Royal Canadian Mounted Police insignia affixed to the padded lid, inside lid lined in violet satin, recessed medal bed in navy blue felt, measuring 83 mm (w) x 115 mm (h) x 33 mm (d), case extremely fine.

Footnote: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal was established by royal warrant on March 6, 1934 by King George V. It is the oldest continually awarded honour within the Canadian honours system, and the first created specifically for Canadian service within Canada. Initially proposed by the Royal Northwest Mounted Police Veterans’ Association, it took more than ten years for the proposal to be realized. The determination of the veterans was aided by the interest of Commissioner Cortlandt Starnes and Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett. It is awarded to Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers or Constables who are of an irreproachable character and have completed a minimum of twenty years of service. In 1954, clasps for the ribbon of the RCMP Long Service Medal were approved to signify additional years of service.