Original Item: Only One Available. SS Long Service Awards (SS-Dienstauszeichnungen) were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years. The four and eight-year service awards were in the form of circular medals while the 12 and 25-year service awards were in the form of stylized swass (hook crosses). The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch. The awards varied in design depending on the length of service of the recipient. According to historian Chris Ailsby the awards ceased to be given at the end of 1941.

This is a nice example of a 8 year award and the original bronze finish has matured beautifully, with no major oxidation or damage, just some light overall patination. The front shows the correct ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) emblem surrounded by a wreath, while the rear has text over a large number 8. The edges are all crisp, and the letters on the back are clear. The blue ribbon is in very good condition as well, showing just a bit of fraying at the ends and no staining or tears. A great example of a hard to find award!

It was first introduced by Adolf AH on 30 January 1938, On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER ᛋᛋ ("For Loyal Service in the SS"). The medal was awarded to SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppe, SS-Totenkopfverbände and the SS-Junkerschule who served honorably and were on active service.

The four-year and eight-year awards were the most common awards. Despite the fact that the whole NSDAP movement lasted for little over 25 years (1919-1945) and the SS were founded only in 1925, awards of the 25-year version were made well before 25 years of actual service were completed. This was because the period between 1925 and 1933 (what the NSDAPs termed Kampfzeit ("Time of Struggle") counted double, and any service in the Armed Forces in the First World War and afterwards, as well as the Police, was also included. Nevertheless, it was one of the rarer awards given out by NSDAP Germany.