Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp (Seaman William Smith, I.N. Brigade) very fine and rare

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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William Smith is confirmed on the roll of the Bengal Marine, comprising just 7 Officers and 19 Seamen. The Bengal Marine was not part of the Indian Navy, being formed under civil contract in uniform resembling that of the Indian Navy, but in effect it was a police force and not a naval one. Some of their officers used the post nominal letters ‘I.N.’ which was much resented. Due to the general lack of discipline it was eventually disbanded.