Medal sold in Brazil.

[Tim B.]

Most countries put out "commemorative medals" after the war; okay most came out in the 1920's - 1930's but after the war, that's what I meant here.

I was of the understanding that the medals were never officially awarded or presented, just made available to those that applied and paid the processing fees (which many did not bother). Perhaps I should have stated not officially issued.

This is true for many countries, including France, Belguim and even the U.S.

Tim

[Lambert]

Everyone who sent application form to austrian/hungarian/bulgarian authorities and paid for the medal. I'm not even sure how strictly were they checking the requirements (if they checked at all), so it's not impossible to get one even for those were actually not soldiers.

The application form for the bulgarian medal states, that you have to send in your citation for the Hindenburg Cross or Iron Cross to prove that you have served in WWI or your local police station has to certify that you were awarded the Hindenburg Cross or Iron Cross, if you don´t want to send your citation in.
I think there was a similar process for the austrian and hungarian medals, so only eligible servicemen should have gotten them.