Item:
ONSV23BBI6

Original Imperial German WWI to WWII Era Medal Bar Featuring EKII, Hindenburg Cross and WWII 2nd Class 25 Year Service Award - 5 Awards

Item Description

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a very nice genuine medal bar, owned by a German soldier who fought during WWI, and also possibly served post war under the Weimar republic. They may have also served into the WWII era, identified by the 25 Year Civil Service award. Some of the ribbon colors have faded a bit, but overall the set is quite eye catching.

The most interesting aspect of this medal bar is that a few of them are reversed, obscuring the Swas on the WWII medals. This was more than likely done for parade or display purposes post WWII. NSDAP awards and decorations were discontinued after the defeat of Germany in 1945, with display of the swas banned. In 1957 the Federal Republic of Germany permitted qualifying veterans to wear many NSDAP-era awards in Bundeswehr uniform. including most World War II valor and campaign awards, provided the swas symbol was removed.

The set of 5 medals offered in good condition is mounted on a metal backing board with pin and lined in blue wool felt. It consists of the following medals:

- Imperial German WWI Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class Medal
- WWII War Merit Cross with Swords
- Imperial German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal with Swords (for combat)
- Imperial German 15 Years Long Service Medal
- WWII German 2nd Class 25 Year Civil Service Faithful Service Medal

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 Tatzenkreuz (cross pattée) 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.

War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz): This was a decoration of NSDAP Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to military personnel and civilians alike. By the end of the war it was issued in four degrees, and had a related civil decoration. It was created by Adolf AH in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars. The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service "not in direct connection with combat", and without swords for meritorious service to civilians in "furtherance of the war effort". As with the Iron Cross, Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level.

Hindenburg Cross with Crossed Swords (for combat): The Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (German: 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.

- Imperial German 1st Class Long Service Cross for 15 Years: Instituted July 4, 1913. A straight-armed cross pate constructed of gilded bronze, the obverse center bears the Prussian royal crown, the reverse bears “XV” (for 15 years of service)

- 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.

A lovely set ready for further research and display.

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