Original British SILVER Military General Service Medal 1793–1814, issued in 1848 and named to THOˢ SKIPPON of the 13th Light Dragoons.
This is an original silver British campaign medal featuring three Peninsular War battle clasps:
ALBUHERA • VITTORIA • ORTHES
The Military General Service Medal was struck in silver and instituted in 1847 for retrospective recognition of qualifying British Army service during campaigns fought between 1793 and 1814.
MEDAL DETAILS
• Metal: Silver
• Military General Service Medal 1793–1814 (MGSM)
• British military campaign medal
• Issued: 1848
• Queen Victoria portrait on obverse
• Edge named: “THOˢ SKIPPON, 13TH LT. DRAGNS.”
• Recipient: Thomas Skippon — “THOˢ” is a period abbreviation for Thomas
• Regiment: 13th Light Dragoons
• 3 original-style battle clasps: ALBUHERA / VITTORIA / ORTHES
• Period-style ribbon present
• Medal displays natural age-related toning/patina
13th LIGHT DRAGOONS — PENINSULAR WAR HISTORY
The three battles represented on this medal are consistent with the documented campaign history of the 13th Light Dragoons.
The regiment served extensively during the Peninsular War and participated in Albuhera (1811), Vittoria (1813) and Orthes (1814). The regiment subsequently also fought at Waterloo in 1815.
Other surviving and documented MGSM medals to members of the 13th Light Dragoons are known with these campaign clasps, providing useful historical comparison.
THOMAS SKIPPON — HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Research into the recipient has uncovered a particularly interesting possible biographical connection.
A published historical study identifies a Thomas Skippon (1783–1867) as a retired soldier and veteran of Waterloo.
According to this research, Thomas Skippon originated in Norfolk, England and later emigrated with his family to Upper Canada (present-day Canada). The family reportedly first settled near Markham and later moved to MacGillivray Township near Ailsa Craig, Ontario.
Source: The British Columbia Review — historical research concerning the Skippon family.
IMPORTANT: A primary military service/medal-roll record conclusively connecting that Thomas Skippon (1783–1867) to the recipient named on this medal has not yet been located. This information is therefore presented strictly as an interesting research lead and not confirmed provenance.
COMPARABLE 13th LIGHT DRAGOONS MEDALS
Specialist British medal sale records demonstrate significant collector interest in named MGSM medals to the 13th Light Dragoons.
A silver MGSM to Sergeant Richard Scriven, 13th Light Dragoons, carrying Albuhera, Vittoria, Orthes and Toulouse, was sold by specialist sale house Spink for £1,600.
Another documented medal to Thomas Handcock, 13th Light Dragoons, carries Albuhera, Vittoria, Orthes and Toulouse, with his medal entitlement confirmed through historical research.
Noonans has also sold researched 13th Light Dragoons MGSM examples, including medals accompanied by Waterloo Medals.
These examples are provided for historical and collector comparison only and are not presented as a valuation of this medal.
CONDITION
Antique silver medal approximately 175+ years old, showing expected age-related wear, surface marks and natural patina/toning.
The ribbon shows considerable age and wear.
The medal has NOT been cleaned or polished by us.
Please carefully inspect all photographs, including the silver medal surfaces, edge naming, suspension and all three clasps, as the photographs form an important part of the description.
COLLECTOR’S NOTE
A highly interesting named British silver Military General Service Medal to a member of the 13th Light Dragoons, carrying three major Peninsular War battle clasps:
ALBUHERA • VITTORIA • ORTHES
The combination of a named silver MGSM, three campaign clasps, 13th Light Dragoons attribution and potential further recipient research makes this a particularly interesting piece for collectors of British military medals, Napoleonic Wars material and Peninsular War history.
Sold exactly as photographed. Historical information is provided for research purposes and to assist prospective collectors.
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