Rare Rhodesia hanging leather strap with 6 military operation copper plaques

Rare Rhodesia hanging leather strap with 6 military operation copper plaques

Plaques are for Operation Hurricane (North East Border - December 1972), Thrasher (Eastern Border - February 1976), Repulse (South East Border - May 1976), Tangent (Matabeleland - August 1976), Grapple (Midlands - August 1977) and Splinter (Kariba - June 1978). 

The colouring of these plaques is different from the usual small plaques, for example:

• Thrasher blue ribbon, rather than black
• Repulse all black image, rather than black and red
• Grapple red ribbon, rather than blue or black
• Splinter all black image, with less black in the waves

From what we understand, but not confirmed through official documentation, only about 20 of these items were made. 

There are indents on some of the copper plaques, as shown in the photos.

Dimensions: 105mm wide and 650mm long.