Description
British Fire Service Association BFSA Silver Medal Miniature
A superb quality Long Service medal (denoting 20 years service) made by Bigbury Mint exclusively for the British Fire Service Association (BFSA).
BFSA medals and bars may only be purchased direct from the British Fire Service Association as follows:
Telephone: 03333 444199
British Fire Service Association Website
Instituted: 1949.
Branch of Service: British Fire Services Association.
Ribbon: 33mm with a central silver-grey stripe flanked by black stripes edged with white and a broad red edge.
Original Metal: Silver plated.
Description: (Obverse) allegorical female carrying a palm frond and bestowing a laurel crown on a kneeling fireman; an early fire appliance in the background. (reverse) badge of the British Fire Service Association: a wreathed flag within a circle surmounted by a fireman’s helmet and surrounded by ladders and hoses. Inscribed FOR LONG SERVICE & EFFICIENCY, round the central motif and THE BRITISH FIRE SERVICES ASSOCIATION round the circumference. The medal originally had an ornamental scrolled suspender with a bar inscribed BFSA, however it now has a simple straight suspender. The recipient’s name and service number are engraved on the rim. A bar is added for each additional 5 years of service
Comments: The British Fire Services Association was formed in 1949 by the amalgamation of the National Fire Brigades Association and the Professional Fire Brigades Association. This medal thus supersedes The Association Of Professional Fire Brigade Officers Long Service Medal and the National Fire Brigades Association Long Service Medal.
Medal mounting swing style is the more traditional method of mounting medals. Swing Style or ordinary style mounted medals are mounted on a medal brooch bar which can then be pinned to your tunic directly, through becketts or attached to a pocket holder. This style of medal mounting allows the medals to move or ‘swing’ when worn. Over time, the edge of the medals can become damaged due to the medals “clinking” together.
Medal mounting court style is alleged to have began during the reign of Queen Victoria. Those attending the Queen would wear medals court mounted to stop them “clinking”. Other sources suggest that the Cavalry first adopted the practice. Either way, this style of medal mounting is becoming more popular. Court mounted medals are fixed to a rigid backing material called buckram. The buckram is then covered in a felt material before the medals are mounted on their own ribbon length. This style of medal mounting holds the medals firmly in place and prevents them ‘clinking’ together and damaging each other when worn.
Medals are mounted ready for wear and then placed on a block within the frame. This allows for the easy removal and replacement of the medals as required, meaning they can be removed for wear on parade or for cleaning.
The medals will hang from the block at a slight angle much as they would if they were being worn on the chest.
Medals are not mounted ready for wear and instead are placed flat against the frame backing with the medal ribbon secured through a slot. This means that the medals cannot be removed from the frame and cannot be worn.
Les Thompson –
Worn with pride lovely medal I require the miniture one.
John Chadwick –
Brilliant, we are pleased you are happy with the medal!
If you would like a mini BFSA you will have to contact the association, as we only sell to them.
Kind Regards,
Kat