A “Manipur 1891” Order of Merit pair awarded to Subedar Bhim Sing Rana, 43rd Gurkha Rifles

Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type (1837-1912), 3rd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, the reverse with central nut fitting and engraved on three lines ‘3rd / Class / Order of Merit’, additionally inscribed ‘No. 2727 Bhim Singh Rana 43rd Gurkha Rifles’, centre re-enamelled and fitted with replacement silver ribbon buckle; India General Service 1854-95, 4 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89, Chin-Lushai 1889-90, N.E. Frontier 1891 (2727 Sepoy Bhim Sing Rana 43rd Gurkha Rifles) suspension re-fixed and naming retouched in parts, the first with central enamel chip, contact marks overall, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Indian Army the property of a retired Indian Army officer.

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I.O.M. 3rd Class G.O. 647 of 1891: ‘In recognition of the gallantry and devotion displayed while serving under the command of Lieut. C. J. W. Grant, V.C., 12th (Burma) Regt. of Madras Infantry during the advance on and defence of Thobal from the 29th March until the 9th April, in connection with the measures which were taken to restore order in Manipur and to extract retribution for the murder of the Chief Commissioner of Assam and other British officers in March 1891.’

Bhim Sing Rana first enlisted on 5 December 1889, was commissioned Jemadar on 16 October 1906, and promoted to Subedar on 1 March 1912. Although the above four clasps were earned by the 43rd Gurkha Rifles, Bhim Sing Rana’s date of enlistment clearly precludes entitlement to the first clasp and, furthermore, the Indian Army List for January 1915 credits him with war service only in Manipur 1891 (medal and clasp; Indian Order of Merit, 3rd Class) and Abor 1911-12 (medal and clasp).