Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

A ‘pair’ to Sergeant J. Smith, 81st Foot

India General Service 1954-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (2448 Sergt. J. Smith, H.Ms. 81st Regt.); Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp (2448 Sergt. Jas. Smith, 81 Foot), late issue, the two medals fitted together to form a locket (see below), a uniquely mounted pair, very fine £100-150

The two medals are fitted together, in a novel way, forming a locket having the appearance of a ‘thick medal’. The ‘medal’ has a shared suspension which bears the clasp, ‘Northwest Frontier’ and is suspended from a silver brooch bar. The medal reverses form the outer part of the locket. The suspension is hinged to allow the locket to open. The inner medal obverses are each fitted with a glazed silver frame, one bearing the photograph of a uniformed army sergeant, the other a lock of hair; the condition of the medal obverses being hidden is unknown. Sold with some copied research which confirms the awards.