France, Colonial Dahomey. An Order Of The Black Star, Grand Cross, By Arthus Bertrand, C.1910 Hold circumscribed by inscription of “DEN

circumscribed by inscription of “DEN SIEGREICHEN STREITERN” (“THE VICTORIOUS COMBATANTS”) and dates of “1900-1901” alongside flanking “CHINA”

informing of the new enlisted volunteers

number impressed "4051" on the reverse

the reverse with an analogous red enameled medallion with a gilt date of “1916”

he was drafted to the 10

France, Colonial Dahomey. An Order Of The Black Star, Grand Cross, By Arthus Bertrand, C.1910 Hold circumscribed by inscription of “DEN(Ordre de l'toile Noire). Instituted on 1 December 1889 at Porto Novo by Toffa, future king of Dahomey (today the Republic of Benin). A silver gilt Maltese cross featuring white enamels with blue borders, clusters of three gilt rays in each quadrant, obverse centre presenting a black enameled star, a mirrored reverse with a large green enameled laurel suspension, hallmarked on elongated suspension loop and integral ring with boars head denoting French