I was fortunate recently to be able to acquire the majority of rugby league prize medals won by Sammy Miller in the 1930s, one of the original Salford Red Devils, who played a major role in establishing the club as the Rugby League Team of the 1930s Decade.
I managed to acquire eight of Sammy's prize medals, all in 9ct gold with a combined weight of 147.5 gms.
I am now putting these historic medals up for sale individually & this particular medal is:
17.4 gm 9ct gold & enamel medal won by Sammy Miller as Salford Red Devils won the Lancashire Senior Cup for the second time in their history in the season 1934 - 35.
The front of the medal depicts the shields of Lancashire & Cheshire together with the Yorkshire Rose picked out in red & blue enamel. The medal is further embossed:
"LANCASHIRE COUNTY RUGBY LEAGUE SENIOR CUP"
The obverse is not engraved however the hallmark of Birmingham 1934 confirms this is the winners medal from the season 1934 - 35 (out of the collection of 8 medals this was the only one with no personal engravings on the back).
Weight: 17.4 gm. Width: 28 mm. Height (excluding ring): 34 mm. Hall Mark: Birmingham 1934. Maker's Mark: Fattorini & Sons.
Included with the medal is a small photo reprint depicting Salford Red Devils in the 1930s. Also included is a printout of the Wikipedia page relating to Sammy Miller and a printout of the list of Honours won by Salford Red Devils with the Honour relating to the medal for sale highlighted.
The Original Salford Red Devils: Sammy Miller was one of the 17 players who successfully toured in France with Salford in 1934, during which the Salford team earned the name "Les Diables Rouges" (The Red Devils) as they won every game played. The nickname stuck & the club is known as Salford Red Devils to this day.
The club can trace its roots back to 1873 but adopted the name of Salford Football Club in 1879. The club won its first major trophy, the First Division Championship, in 1913 - 14 but it would not be until 1932 - 33 that they would win the Championship again. They won the Lancashire League 5 times between 1932 - 33 & 1938 - 39. They also won the Lancashire Senior Cup 5 times between 1931 - 32 & 1972 - 73. The medal for sale is the winners medal from their second triumph in the 1934 - 35 season.
The 1930s was the club's most successful era, winning 13 major trophies including the Challenge Cup in 1937 - 38, for the only time in their history. Sammy Miller played a key role in their success at this time.
The club currently competes in the Super League, the top tier of British Rugby League.
Sammy Edward Miller: Sammy has the Salford Heritage Number 355 and made his debut for the club against Swinton, away on 18th November 1929. As mentioned above he was one of the original 17 Salford Red Devils to tour France in 1934 and played as a Centre, i.e number 3 or 4.
His only professional Rugby League Club was Salford where he played between 1929 & 1945 playing 312 games where he scored 81 tries & 57 goals, scoring 357 points. His haul of medals with Salford will be one of the best as the club was very successful in the 1930s.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos & history (above) this is a rare & collectable medal won by one of the original Salford Red Devils. Good luck!
NOTE: PLEASE SEE MY OTHER LISTINGS OF 9CT GOLD MEDALS WON BY SAMMY MILLER PLAYING FOR SALFORD RED DEVILS IN THE 1930s. I COMBINE POSTAGE IF MORE THAN ONE ITEM PURCHASED.