Ribbon The ribbon is watered and of dark crimson with green edges. The original ribbon issued with this medal measured only wide (similar to a miniature medal ribbon) and often used two widths, but it was usually replaced by one of when awarded to British personnel. The medal was originally suspended via two small steel rings, although the one on the medal itself can be silver. Not only did they tend to rust, but these rings were almost universally altered to take the wider ribbon conforming to standard British type. Other suspensions were also used and therefore many medals are found with a privately attached scroll or other suspender akin to British medal types. Naming This medal was issued unnamed but examples are found with privately engraved naming of varying styles. Criteria and numbers awarded While the Sultan offered the medal to Turkey's three allies, it was left to each country to decide how many to accept and the criteria of award. The United Kingdom awarded 74,000 medals for all ranks of the Army who qualified for the British Crimea Medal and who had survived the war; with a further 25,000 for the Royal Navy. Queen Victoria gave permission for the medal to be worn in uniform. France ordered only 1,500 medals for award to French troops who had served in Turkey. The French commander in the Crimea, Marshal Pélissier, described the medals as poorly made and of “little attraction”. There was no Imperial Decree permitting its wear in uniform, in contrast to the British Crimea and Baltic Medals, both of which were authorised by Imperial Decree for wear by French recipients. Sardinia accepted 5,000 Turkish medals, which were awarded to selected officers and men of their forces who distinguished themselves in the campaign. As many British recipients were finally issued with the medal designed for Sardinian – and sometimes French – troops, the number received by each country does not indicate the number awarded of each design. See also British Crimean War Medal Turkish Order of the Medjidie Sardinian Crimea Medal Baltic Medal Légion d'honneur Médaille militaire References and further reading Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin, British Battles and Medals. Published by Spink, London. 1988. . David M. Goldfrank, The Origins of the Crimean War. Published by Routledge. 1993. . Winfried Baumbart, The Crimean War, 1853-1856. Published by Bloomsbury Academic. 2020. . Guy Arnold (Editor), John Worronoff (Editor), Historical Dictionary