Description
Volunteer Officers Decoration for India and the Colonies, 1894-1899, extremely rare in fitted case of issue, 1st Type with VRI Cypher.
Exceptionally rare to find and a wonderfully preserved example in official fitted untitled case.
Unnamed as issued, sometimes found with local unofficial naming, on ribbon and silver brooch pin.
Hallmarked to the reverse makers mark “J&S”, Dated gothic “u” 1894, Birmingham production with Birmingham Assay Marks, one of the first examples produced.
Unlike the more commonly seen Volunteer Officers’ Decoration with “VR” Cypher which was introduced in 1892 by Queen Victoria for Long and Meritorious Service to Officers of the Volunteer Force.
The other VR example was issued in a different Garrard lined box.
This special example bearing the Royal Cypher VRI, for Victoria Regina Imperatrix, was instituted on 24th May 1894 by Royal Warrant of Queen Victoria intending to be awarded to Officers of the Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire, instead of only in the UK.
It was intended to be awarded to those in India, The Dominion of Canada, the Crown Colonies and Crown Dependencies.
Titled as the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration for India and the Colonies, it was only awarded for less than 5 short years until 1899.
On 18th May 1899 a new Royal Warrant was issued, with the introduction of the new Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration.
