The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Army Best Shot Medal, V.R., silver (1965 Pte. H. Morgan 77th. Foot) engraved naming, edge bruise, good very fine and a unique award to the Regiment £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Provenance: Glendining’s, October 1901; Spink, January 1976.

Hugh Morgan was born in 1859 and attested for the 77th Foot at Belfast on 14 June 1879. He was awarded the Army Best Shot Medal for the year 1879-80 (using the .450 Martini Henry rifle), in his first year of service, and the award of his medal was notified in General Orders on 1 May 1880. The Muster Lists record that he deserted the Army on 6 July 1881.

The Army Best Shot Medal (also known as the Queen’s Medal) was instituted in 1869-70 (initially using the .577 Snider rifle), and was awarded annually until 1882-83. Two awards were given in both 1875-76, and 1876-77 (one for the Snider rifle and one for the new Martini-Henry rifle); over the course of its history only 16 awards of the Victorian medal were made, to fifteen different recipients. Morgan was the only recipient from either the 57th or 77th Regiments of Foot. The Medal was revived in 1923 and continues to be awarded annually.