Bahrain, Kingdom. An Order Of Military Service, Ii Class, C.1976

(Wissam al-Khidmat al-Askari). Founded by Amir ‘Isa II in 1976 to recognise distinguished services in the military forces of Bahrain. Likely Italian manufacture, a very scarce complete set of the Order’s II Class, composed by an eight-pointed star in silver, bearing the Bahrain coat of arms on the obverse centre, the reverse is plain, marked by silver hallmarking denoting 925 purity, along with another unreadable partial mark, measuring 44.08 mm (w) x 44.10 mm (h), suspended by original ribbon with horizontal pinback, accompanied by both the ribbon bar and ribbon button with rosette for wearing the uniform, as well as a II Class miniature in silver, consisting of an eight-pointed star with a Bahrain coat of arms on the obverse centre, plain reverse marked by silver hallmarking denoting 925 of content, along with an unreadable buried hallmark, measuring 18.24 mm (w) x 17.95 mm (h), suspended by an original ribbon with rosette and vertical pinback. This set is sitting on a removable recessed medal bed, under this there are keeping three ribbon bars and another ribbon button for replacement, as well as indications for wearing the medal with both gala and uniform. The set is contained in its original case of issue, a hard-shelled green case, the exterior lid with a Bahrain coat of arms in gilt color, along with Arabic lettering denoting name and class of the Order, as well as a gilded ornate frame, the interior lid in white silk with a colored Bahrain coat of arms, measuring 112 mm (w) x 38 mm (h) x 136 mm (l), with functional slider catch on the right side of the case, a very scarce set in near mint condition.

Footnote: The Order of Military Service, a.k.a. Order of Military Long Service, was instituted in 1976. The Order is awarded to members of the Bahrain military forces in recognition of distinguished service and long service.