Franco Prussian war

[John Odom]

Perhaps this is not the appropriate forum, since this medal is not naval. We inherited this medal. We know nothing about it.

If any of you can enlighten me about it it would be appreciated.

[herakles]

I'm sure this place is appropriate. The particular forum doesn't have to have just naval medals.

That aside, I know nothing of medals so I can't shed any light on this one.

[astraltrader]

Only the obvious - it was awarded to general participants of the Franco-Prussian War. A campaign medal. Although an interesting medal, many were obviously struck at the time and the usual value is around £20.

At present there is one for sale on ebay auction very near to the close of the auction and the top bid is at present is £13.50 which is a bit cheap but may well rise to my estimate by the time of sale...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Original-German-Prussian-1870-1871-War-Medal_W0QQitemZ250277768260QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL 080802104a852

[John Odom]

Thanks, Terry and Herk. My wife's family were Danish, and some of them emigrated to the US to avoid German military service. We will keep looking to see it one of them served in that war.

[astraltrader]

It finally sold for £13.50 which IMO was a bargain!

[Brett Hendey]

John
I am new to the forum so I have seen your posts on the Franco-Prussian War for the first time. I was particularly interested to read that Danish citizens were subject to German military service. I have researched a Dane who settled in South Africa in the late 1870's and he claimed to have served in the Franco-Prussian War and later in the US Navy before moving to Africa.

Given your comments, I assume that he served on the German side in the Franco-Prussian War and only 'escaped' to the US later. He had anglicised his surname to 'Nelson' in South Africa, but presumably he was a 'Neilson', Nilson or something similar back in Denmark.

Thank you for providing another clue to the background of 'my' Nelson.

Regards
Brett