Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very good original German five-piece medal bar combining Imperial German WWI decorations with awards instituted during the Third Reich era. The grouping includes a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Combatant Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918, a silver Duke Carl Eduard Medal with 1917 clasp, an NSDAP 10-Year Long Service Award, and a 25-Year Faithful Service Decoration.

The set of 5 medals offered in good condition is mounted on a very nice metal supported medal bar, which has a long brass securing pin and red felt backing that shows some moth damage. The colors are mostly retained, and the planchets have a lovely patina

It consists of the following medals with Ribbons:

- Imperial German WWI Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class Medal.
- German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal.
- Duke Carl Eduard Medal, Silver, with 1917 bar.
- German WWII NSDAP Party Long Service Award Third Class.
- German WWII Faithful Service Decoration 2nd Class Cross for 25 Years of Service.

The complete five-award arrangement, retained ribbons, metal mounting bar, brass fastening pin, and red felt backing make this an impressive and historically complex medal group. The moth damage to the felt, age to the ribbons, and patina across the planchets are important condition factors, but this is an excellent medal bar that will fit well into any collection focused on 20th century medals.

Below is an explanation of each medal in detail:

German WWI Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class with Ribbon:
Established by Frederick William in 1813 for gallantry in action, the decoration was revived several times for later conflicts. The bulk of the issues are divided into 1st and 2nd class versions, but a rare and superior 'Grand Cross' was also awarded for successful field commanders. During WW1 the lower decoration was freely awarded with 5½ million second class types issued. Originally, the Iron Cross was an award of the Kingdom of Prussia, however given Prussia's pre-eminent place in the German Empire formed in 1871, it became an award for all of Germany.

The basic design of the WW1 crosses is a central cross patee struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date 1914 under a crowned 'W' monogram. Reverse bears an oak leaf cluster with the date of the decoration’s institution, 1813 underneath - the crowned initials of Frederick William are in the top arm above the oak leaf cluster. Suspension for second-class types is by means of a ring, and frequently this ring bears a maker's stamp.

Please examine the edge seam for authentication, which is not present on reproductions. Iron crosses were commonly constructed from an iron core sandwiched in a surrounding two part silver frame, normally the seam of these two silver parts is visible around the edge of the cross as is seen on this fine example.

Hindenburg Cross with Crossed Swords (for combat):
The Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, by an order dated 13 July 1934, to commemorate the distinguished deeds of the German people during the First World War. This was Germany's first official service medal for soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war, and where they had since died it was also awarded to their surviving next-of-kin. Shortly after its issuance, the government of NSDAP Germany declared the award as the only official service decoration of the First World War and further forbid the continued wearing of German Free Corps awards on any military or paramilitary uniform of a state or NSDAP Party organization.

Duke Carl Eduard Medal in Silver with 1917 bar:
Instituted 25 March 1833 by Duke Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Duke Bernhard II of Saxe-Meiningen. (1917 issue). Constructed of silver, the obverse bearing a raised and rightward-facing profile of Duke Carl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse bearing a central raised depiction of the Saxe-Ernestine House Order, circumscribed by an inscription of “FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER” (“FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST”).

Original German WWII NSDAP Party Long Service Award Third Class with Ribbon - 10 Years:
The NSDAP Party Long Service Award (Die Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP) was a political award in the form of a badge awarded during the Third Reich era. The award was given in three grades of ten years, fifteen years, and twenty-five years of service. On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: Treue für Führer und Volk (Loyalty to Leader and People). The service award was a four-pointed cross (Ordenskreuz) cross with slightly curved arms. In the center of the cross is the national eagle with an oakleaves wreath. Between the arms were rays, which was suspended from a 30mm ribbon. On 2 April 1939, AH ordered its institution for male and female members of the NSDAP who met certain qualifications. The award was first given out on 30 January 1940.

WWII 2nd Class 25 Year Civil Service Faithful Service Medal: The Civil Service Faithful Service Medal (Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen für Beamte Angestellte und Arbeiter im öffentlichen Dienst) was a NSDAP Germany medal of honor that was founded on 30 January 1938, in two grades, to reward civilians and military in the employ of the German public services for long and faithful service.

All officials, employees, and laborers at any level of the public service (local, regional or national) who complete 25 or 40 years service were eligible. The second class award was for 25 years of service was a silver cross, with a silver wreath and a black enameled swas in the center of the cross. The first class award was for 40 years of service was a gold cross, with a gold wreath and a black enameled swas in the center of the cross.

The reverse of both classes was stamped with Für treue Dienste (For faithful Services). in German black letter typeface. The ribbon for the medal is cornflower blue.