Defence Force Service Medal
To qualify for a Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM), a member is required to complete 15 years of efficient remunerated service prior to 20 April 1999 and must have been serving on or after 14 February 1975. Clasps are awarded for each further periods of 5 years efficient regular service. Reserve service and Continuous Full Time service in the Reserve does not qualify towards clasps for this medal. From 20 April 1999 the DFSM was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal.
Our replica is a high quality die-struck version
Clasps / bars can be added here.
How to:
Choose the right medal size
There are two sizes of medals to choose from:
Small (known as Miniatures)
Large (know as Full Size)
Large or Full Size Medals are the size traditionally worn at ANZAC Day ceremonies. It is the size historical imperial medals (eg WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, etc) were originally issued prior to the Australian Honours & Awards system being instituted in 1975. Since then, an original set has comprised a full size medal, miniature medal, and ribbon bar in a protective case.
Full Size Medals are also able to be engraved with the service person's service number, initials and surname as the originals would have been
Large/Full Size or Original Set
Large or Full Size Medals are the size traditionally worn at ANZAC Day ceremonies. Full Size Medals are also able to be engraved with the service person's service number, initials and surname as the originals would have been.
Small or Miniature Set
Small or Miniature Medals are traditionally worn only after 6pm when mess kit, formal / evening dress / dinner jacket attire is worn. by senior Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen / women or Officer ranks. There is also an increasing trend for replicas to be created in miniature sets for children to wear at ceremonies and marches.
Adding this award to your set
Simply add a mounting service to your purchase. Both styles still have a brooch bar on the back to enable them to be worn on clothing. If none of the above criteria are relevant to your order, you are free to go with personal preference.
Mount Style:
Court Mounted
Court-Mounted Medals have a backing board behind the medals to which each medal is sewn to minimise noise and movement. This does obscure 2/3 of the reverse of the medals.
Mount Style:
Swing Mounted
Swing Mounted Medals allow an unobstructed view of both the front and back of the medals, but do also leave them prone to impact damage. Serving Defence members are not permitted to wear their groups swing mounted.
What to keep in mind when choosing a mounting style
We can only swing-mount up to a maximum of 5 full-size medals.
A full size set of 6 (or more) medals will need to be court-mounted.
Miniature medal sets of any number can be mounted in either style.
Swing-mounted medals will make the 'tinky tink' noise as they move against each other.
This may trigger sensory sensitivities for some people, and can also make the medals more prone. todamage.
Engravings are easier to see on swing-mounted medals.
If you choose to have your replica medals engraved with the recipient's service number, initials, and surname, the engraving will be easier to see on swing-mounted medals, as you. can clearly see the front and back of the medal with this style.
FAQ's
Is it legal to buy replica medals?
Yes, it is legal to buy replica medals.Generally, only one set of original medals is ever issued by the Governor General or Dept of Defence Honours & Awards. Because of this, it is common practice for recipients to put the original away safely and wear replicas so that they can be replaced if they are lost. This practice is endorsed and encouraged by the Dept of Defence Honours & Awards.
I have an existing set of replicas but have just received a new award. Do I need a new set of replicas?
You absolutely do not need to buy a brand new set of replicas- in fact you'll save yourself some money if you send your existing full size and miniature medals into us together with any pieces of ribbon bars with rosettes we can recycle for you.
Can I have the full size replica medals engraved with my family member's details?
Absolutely!We have a state-of-the-art computer engraving machine that is perfect for engraving your full size replica medals. The addition of engraving creates a beautiful heirloom set with moving sentimentality (many of our engraving customers confess shedding tears) as well as a starting point for future generations for family research, or simply a medal set that can be easily be returned to you post-ANZAC Day shenanigans.
Is a ribbon bar included with my purchase of full size medals?
No, you will need to order your ribbon bar separately to your full size medals unless you order the full Collection, which does include the ribbon bar as well as miniature medals and a case. We can arrange for each piece of your ribbon bar to be joined together at your request (or have plastic coating added if you work in Emergency Services).
How risky is sending medals in the post?
In 17 years of business, we have not lost one set of original medals that have been sent into us or sent out from us.We repeat: Not one set lost. Ever. [Touch wood.]
Read more about our shipping policies here.
Services
Professional medal services
We offer premium mounting & engraving services to complete your medal set.