Obverse, a bust of Queen Victoria with veil |
Reverse, Fame standing on a dais placing a wreath on the head of a champion, who carries a target shot with three arrows |
The award of an annual medal for the best shot in the Army was instituted in 1869 and continued until 1883, so that only 16 of the Queen's Medal, as it was officially titled, were ever issued.
Over the period 1875 to 1877 the Army changed its standard rifle, and so the 1875-76 and 1876-77 competitions were shot with both old and new weapons, a medal being awarded for each.
The winner of the 1876-1877 competition with the older Snider Rifle was Sergeant A. Woods of the 2nd Battalion Loyals, or 81st Foot. This is his medal. Lester Watson purchased it from the London dealer Spink in 1925.