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Great Britain - 1801

Tribute to the 42nd Regiment from the London Highland Society

Obverse:

Bare head of Sir Ralph Abercromby right.

Legend:

ABERCROMBIUS DUX IN EGYPTO CECIDIT VICTOR 28 MAR 1801 (Abercromby led in Egypt and became victorious 28 March 1801).

Size:

48.4 mm.

Edge:

O'N CHOUMUN CHAELEACH D'ON FHREICEADAN DUBH NA XLII RT. (From the London Highland Society to the Black Watch or 42nd Regt.)

Reverse:

Highlander with drawn sword capturing the standard of the French Imperial Legion, crocodile behind.

Legend:

NA FIRA CHOISIN BUAIDH SAN EPHAIT : 21 MAR . I80I (The heroes who gained the victory in Egypt).

Vern's Comments:

This a copy of a medal that kinda never was. It has the edge marking mentioned and a giant COPY damaging the obverse and appears to have been struck in white metal, though it's heavy enough to be silver.

Bramsen:

144. Même sujet. (Pidgeon.)
ABERCROMBIUS DUX IN EGYPTO CECIDIT VICTOR 28 MAR I80I. Buste à droite.
Rev: NA FIR A CHOISIN BUAIDH SAN EPHAIT. Deux guerriers - un Ecossais et un Français - se faputant un drapeau avec inscription : PASSAGE DE LA PAR. Un crocodile, un sabre et un chapeau. Exergue: B. WEST. P. R. A. En bas: 21 MAR 180I
Médaille, 48 mm. - T. N. 84, 9.

d'Essling:

925 - (Pidgeon) Buste d'Abercromby à dr.
R. NA FIR A CHOISIN BUAIDH SAN EPHAIT. Deux guerriers se disputant un drapeau. (TN 84.9 - B. 144) Arg. et br. 48 mm.

BHM:

AV, AR, AE 49 by G. F. Pidgeon after B. West.

AV RRRR; ARR; AE N.
C.P. 112/38; E.P.M. 1887/249; H. 242/89; T. 333.
AM; FM; RC.

This medal was intended for presentation to the officers and men of the 42nd regiment from the London Highland Society as a token of their regard for the valour shown by the regiment in Egypt. The medals were never issued however when it was stated that 'honorary medals were the gift of the Sovereign alone'. An example in gold was presented to the Duke of York, President of the Highland Society, and one example each (though in which metal is not stated) to Sir Ralph Abercromby's four sons.
   It was the 42nd Foot who rescued Abercromby when he was wounded in the battle of Alexandria.
   Most specimens have the following inscription in engraved script on the edge: O'N CHOUMUN CHAELEACH D'ON FHREICEADAN DUBH NA XLII RT. (From the London Highland Society to the Black Watch or 42nd Regt.) Some specimens have no edge inscription whilst one example noted in a private collection has the following inscription in engraved capitals: BY THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON.
    Examples in the Fitzwilliam and Ashmolcan Museums have an inscription in the exergue on the reverse reading B. WEST PRA PIDGEON F. The example in gold in the Royal Collection is also of this variety. See also note to no. 504.

Tribute to the 42nd Regiment from the London Highland Society