Germany, Wehrmacht. An Azad Hind Order, Gold Medal with Swords, by Rudolf Souval c. 1943

(Medaille des Ordens Azad Hind in Gold mit Schwertern). Constructed of gilded tombak, the obverse bearing a central raised inscription of “AZAD HINT”, topped by a Bengal tiger in profile and situated above a lily flower, the reverse featuring a raised grid pattern defaced by a central inscription of “INDIENS FREIHEITS KAMPF” (“INDIA’S FREEDROM STRUGGLE”), the twelve o’clock position featuring a crossed sword clasp with an eyelet and loop retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Rudolf Souval, Vienna, measuring 36.33 mm (w) x 50.30 mm (h), weighing 24.9 grams, an early example (c. 1943) in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: According to Souval firm proprietor Ludwig Umlauf, the earliest Azad Hind medals were constructed of tombak, with production shifting to zink soon after, owing to the copper present in tombak becoming a scarce wartime commodity. The firm continued to produce awards using authentic dies and materials as both initial issues (for those awarded the distinction by the Indian government for Second World War combat through decree after 1945) and as replacement pieces for wartime recipients. The characteristics of the example offered indicate that it was likely an early wartime pre-zink variant, but postwar distribution cannot be definitively ruled out.