These are some of my post-1945 lifesaving medals. These are more or less the iron cross of the civilian world, awarded for a deed of courage under great peril. The size, reverse and ribbon colours of most of these medals are inspired on the 19th-century prussian ones.
The first one is the version of North Rhine-Westphalia, the first type from 1951-1970, 800 silver and 25mm in diameter.
Second is the 1957 version of the third reich medal, non-silver version by Steinhauer & Lück.
The third is the Lower Saxony version of the larger, non-wearable medal, awarded (up till the year 2000) when there was less risk of life to the hero. 50mm, made of bronze. The reverse of the Lower Saxony lifesaving medals is almost identical to the reverse of the third reich ones, but the font is a little different. For example, on the third reich ones there is no little "curl" at the lower right corner of the 'R'. Also, the nerves of the oak leaves are more pronounced on Lower Saxony lifesaving medals.
Fourth is the post-1971 lifesaving medal of Rhineland-Palatine, 33mm and made of 925 silver. Big medal but with the narrow (25mm) version of the ribbon, which is often used on the more recent models.
The last one is the Belgian award for courage and self-sacrifice (i.e. for lifesaving), not to be confused with the civil award for long service in administration, which does not have the yellow stripes on the ribbon.
The first one is the version of North Rhine-Westphalia, the first type from 1951-1970, 800 silver and 25mm in diameter.
Second is the 1957 version of the third reich medal, non-silver version by Steinhauer & Lück.
The third is the Lower Saxony version of the larger, non-wearable medal, awarded (up till the year 2000) when there was less risk of life to the hero. 50mm, made of bronze. The reverse of the Lower Saxony lifesaving medals is almost identical to the reverse of the third reich ones, but the font is a little different. For example, on the third reich ones there is no little "curl" at the lower right corner of the 'R'. Also, the nerves of the oak leaves are more pronounced on Lower Saxony lifesaving medals.
Fourth is the post-1971 lifesaving medal of Rhineland-Palatine, 33mm and made of 925 silver. Big medal but with the narrow (25mm) version of the ribbon, which is often used on the more recent models.
The last one is the Belgian award for courage and self-sacrifice (i.e. for lifesaving), not to be confused with the civil award for long service in administration, which does not have the yellow stripes on the ribbon.
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