Lot 5781

Description

New Zealand Rifle Association, c1890s, medal in bronze (Maltese cross approx 33.5mm), with suspension, obverse, patterned arms of cross with central wreath with ribbon bow and in the centre a kneeling soldier firing to left, below the exergue designer's initials, 'A.T.', reverse, central incuse disc and inside this are 5 targets against a background of mountains, above this, 'New Zealand Rifle/Association', the suspension bears a lion's face and on the reverse, 'A.Teutenberg/Maker/New Zealand', the ribbon brooch bar has a Queen's crown in the centre with initials at sides, 'N.Z./R.A.'; another medal in bronze (36mm), by Bock (William Rose Bock), obverse, standing soldier with rifle at his side with native fauna around, in the exergue 5 stars, reverse, fern wreath and inside a star above the title, 'New/Zealand/Rifle/Association', both medals unnamed. In a vintage case but with internal damage to lining, first medal ribbon damaged, second medal with scraping to top edge possibly for fitting a suspender, otherwise both medals toned and extremely fine. (2)

The New Zealand Rifle Association was founded in 1878 and in 1901 was renamed the New Zealand Defence Rifle Association.