{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-framed-40-year-gold-faithful-service-decoration-with-named-award-document-to-oberwachtmeister-friedrich-wilhelm-riesterer-dated-1939-18-x-18","title":"Original German WWII Framed 40-Year Gold Faithful Service Decoration with Named Award Document to Oberwachtmeister Friedrich Wilhelm Riesterer - Dated 1939 - 18” x 18”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive framed German WWII 40-Year Gold Faithful Service Decoration, or \u003ci\u003egoldenes Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen\u003c\/i\u003e, displayed alongside its named award certificate to \u003cb\u003eOberwachtmeister Friedrich Wilhelm Riesterer of Villingen\u003c\/b\u003e, dated \u003cb\u003e27 July 1939\u003c\/b\u003e. The certificate specifically records recognition for 40 years of faithful service, corresponding with the gold First Class decoration mounted beside it in a \u003cb\u003e45 ½ cm x 45 ½ cm frame (18” x 18”).\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration is the familiar cross award with a gold-tone finish, oak-leaf wreath, and black enameled swas. at the center. It is suspended from its cornflower-blue ribbon and has been professionally mounted beside the document. The standard reverse of this class bears the inscription \u003ci\u003eFür treue Dienste\u003c\/i\u003e, or “For Faithful Service,” although the reverse of this particular example cannot be inspected while it remains framed. Period regulations established the gold First Class for 40 years of qualifying public service, while the silver Second Class recognized 25 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe certificate reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIm Namen\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003edes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eDeutschen Volkes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003everleihe ich\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e dem Oberwachtmeister\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eFriedrich Wilhelm R i e s t e r e r\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e in Villingen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eals Anerkennung für 40jährige treue Dienste\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003edas\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003egoldene\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eTreudienst-Ehrenzeichen.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBerlin, den 27. Juli 1939\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDer Führer und Reichskanzler\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the lower left is the large blind-embossed state seal incorporating the national eagle and swas. device. A blue signature appears beneath the official title at lower right. The document remains behind glass, and from the photographs alone we would not characterize the signature as personally handwritten rather than a period facsimile or other official signature form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt translates to: \u003ci\u003e“In the name of the German people, I award Oberwachtmeister Friedrich Wilhelm Riesterer in Villingen, in recognition of 40 years of faithful service, the Gold Faithful Service Decoration. Berlin, 27 July 1939. The Führer and Reich Chancellor.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have intentionally retained the title \u003cb\u003eOberwachtmeister\u003c\/b\u003e in the translation. The term was used as a rank or official grade in more than one German uniformed service, and the certificate itself does not identify Riesterer's particular department. It would therefore be speculative to assign him specifically to the police, military, or another service solely from this document.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration presents very well, retaining an attractive aged gold finish, strong blue coloration to the ribbon, and apparently intact black enamel to the central emblem. Expected toning and age-related surface wear are visible to the metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe certificate remains highly legible and displays pleasing period age. There is overall toning and a few small spots, including a more noticeable brown spot near the lower left. The blind-embossed seal remains quite well defined, and the recipient's name, rank, location, award, and date are all clearly readable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth pieces are housed in a later professionally prepared display frame with layered cream and metallic-tone matting, a recessed opening for the decoration, and a dark decorative frame with gilt-colored beaded inner trim. The framing provides an especially effective presentation while protecting the original material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eTreudienst-Ehrenzeichen\u003c\/i\u003e was instituted on 30 January 1938 as a state decoration recognizing long periods of faithful employment. Under the regulations, officials, employees, and workers in public service could qualify after 25 or 40 years, with the 40-year award represented by the gold First Class seen here. The decoration was worn from a cornflower-blue ribbon. Contemporary regulations also created separate long-service systems for certain organizations, including the police, making it important not to infer Riesterer's exact branch merely from his \u003ci\u003eOberwachtmeister\u003c\/i\u003e title.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design of the 40-year decoration consisted of a gilt cross with a central oak-leaf wreath surrounding a black enameled swas., while the reverse carried the inscription \u003cb\u003eFÜR TREUE DIENSTE\u003c\/b\u003e, meaning “For Faithful Service.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is the date on Riesterer's certificate, 27 July 1939. This places the award during the relatively brief period between the decoration's establishment in January 1938 and the beginning of the European war in September 1939. The wording of this certificate is also a particularly formal version, beginning \u003ci\u003eIm Namen des Deutschen Volkes verleihe ich\u003c\/i\u003e rather than the alternative administrative wording encountered on some other surviving Faithful Service certificates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45786479689797,"sku":"ONSV26CBZ051","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CBZ051__01.jpg?v=1789666675","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-framed-40-year-gold-faithful-service-decoration-with-named-award-document-to-oberwachtmeister-friedrich-wilhelm-riesterer-dated-1939-18-x-18","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}