Great Britain, Great Exhibition, Hyde Park, 1851, For Services, a copper award medal by W. Wyon, bust of Prince Albert left, rev. wreath, edge named (H. Vivian), 48mm (Allen A50; BHM 2465; E 1458); white metal medals for the same event (2), 64 and 51mm; International Exhibition, South Kensington, 1862, a bronze award medal by L.C. Wyon, edge named (Elswick Ordnance Company, Class XI), 77mm (Allen A1; BHM 2747; E 1553) [4]. Good very fine
£120-150

The Elswick Ordnance Company was a part of William Armstrong's financial empire, founded in 1859 to separate armaments from his other businesses. Armstrong was later to be charged that “between the years 1858 and 1861 (he) made a corrupt conspiracy whereby the country was induced…to give orders for worthless guns to the Elswick Ordnance Company to the amount of £1,087,000”