Crimea Royal Marine Officer Draffen family grouping for sale. The group consisting of the following:

1-Set of three medals mounted as worn. Including the Crimea Medal with Sebastopol Clasp (engraved LIEUT.W.P.DRAFFEN.R.M.A.), Baltic Medal un-named as issued, Turkish Crimea Medal un-named as issued.

2-Set of corresponding miniature medals, mounted as worn. Including the Crimea Medal with Sebastopol Clasp, Baltic Medal un-named as issued, Turkish Crimea Medal un-named as issued.

3-A superb portrait miniature of William Draffen executed by the well known painter of the time, Augustus Barnard. Draffen, by the time the painting was executed,  held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Marines. He is painted in the unform of that rank. The portrait miniature is completed on ivory, and is contained in a typical mid-Victorian ornate gilt frame. There is a brooch pin fixing to the reverse.

Condition report: The medals in overall excellent condition. Original ribbons and mounts. The portrait miniature free from damage, surviving in excellent condition.

Notes: William Pitt Draffen entered the Royal Marines in 1856 as a Lieutenant , and was quickly promoted to Captain. He later became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Marines.

Additional notes: The Draffen family were a typical military family. William Draffen's father, Frederick Draffen entered the Royal Navy as a Master's Mate, being awarded the N.G.S medal for 4 Nov 1805. He later became Commander of the Royal Navy. William Draffen's son, Frederick G.W.Draffen, also went into the services, later becoming Lieutenant-Colonel of the Scottish Rifles.

Provanence: The Draffen family collection was acquired by the well-known medallists, Michael & Adrian Foreman, during the 1970s. The collection was split-up at that time. The William Pitt Draffen group has resided in two collections since being sold by Foreman in the 1970s.