A First War Aef French Theatre Battles Matchbox Cover 1918 Hold version issued circa 1925

version issued circa 1925

The order was created in 1874 became a French Colonial order in 1896

with Recon Waffenfarbe in the center

54 mm x 77 mm inclusive of its wreath suspension

There are two black metal eyelets on each side of the cap on the underside of the overhang for ventilation

A First War Aef French Theatre Battles Matchbox Cover 1918 Hold version issued circa 1925Two piece construction, brass disk bearing a right facing Marianne, inscribed "REPUBLIQUE" at the left and "FRANAISE" at the right, affixed to the front panel of the thick brass base, spine engraved "R. Murphy", back panel engraved "SOMME VERDUN ARGONNE ST. MEHIEL 1918", with an almost full matchbox inside, contaning thirty matches, the matchbox marked with the Red Cross in the centre and inscribed "THE RED CROSS LICENSES SAFETY MATCH MADE BY NITEDALS