Militär-Dienstauszeichnung / Long Service Awards

[Alan]

Hello Everyone,

Having nearly finished EK equivalents for Junior Officers,I just need a Saxe-Meiningen Medaille "Für Verdienst im Krieg" mit Krone in Bronze not Zinc (Medal for Merit in War with Crown) if you have one...,

I thought I would try a put together a wee collection of long service awards (not the Landwehr) from the Imperial German States.

This is what I have so far..Now so far its been pretty straight forward as each state had a fairly distinct design and cypher for their respective award.

The questions I have at the moment pertain to the awards from the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Firstly, for each states a standard ribbon was used for each of the 9.12.15 year awards. For example Blue for Prussia, Blue and White for Bavaria etc.

As far as I know Hesse has a Red and White ribbon. The 12 year I have has move of an orangy brown. Is this just simply faded or did Hesse have a different colour between 9 and 12yr awards? I have seen the same color on ribbonbars

How can you tell the difference between a Hessen and a Prussian 9yr as I belive the are both made of Argentan and the crown and inscription appear to be the same. Are they?
I have compared a Hessen and Prussian 12yr. I really can't see a great difference. What are the differences between these states if any in relation to their long service awards?

[saschaw]

For the 1913 long service awards, all classes of one state had the same ribbon. Differences are rather depending on how old or by which maker the ribbon is, e.g. if it's a 1913 issue ribbon or a later replacement one.

The medals of Prussia and Hessen are the same, with only the ribbons being different, while all other staes had their own design.

Do you want to collect the 1913 types only, or also the older "Spangen"?

The Prussian types from 1820s to 1920, by style variations and by makers, are a collection on their own.

[Alan]

Do you want to collect the 1913 types only, or also the older "Spangen"

Brilliant, thanks Sascha.

The plan is to just concentrate on the 1913 versions only.

[Fred Green]

Greetings All,

Alan, Nice collection of service medals. I am doing the same with just Wurttemberg medals.

Fred

[Alan]

Greetings All,

Alan, Nice collection of service medals. I am doing the same with just Wurttemberg medals.

Fred

Thanks Fred,

Is that just long service awards or are you also looking for Wurttemberg combat and non combat awards?

[Fred Green]

Greetings All,

I would like to assemble all of the awards generally available to an enlisted man from the late very 1800's to the 1920's. I like the long service medals the most and then any other awards. I will post what I have a little later.

Fred

[römischIX]

if you want to collect - you will need a long time. the long service awards -for example prussia- had different versions (later/earlier pieces) and were made of different materials for example the XV long service cross was made of bronce, brass and later
ansonit.

[Fred Green]

Greetings All,

Here is my meager collection from the last 2 years. I specifically like Wurttemberg awards. Service medals are my main focus with combat and bravery awards next. Thanks.

Fred

[Fred Green]

1

[Valter Gorenc]

Grwat collections, Alan and Fred, thanks for showing!

To collcet long service awards from all states can be a lifelong project. Some smaller states are quite rare and expensive.

Fred, are these Wurttemberg bravery medals different tipes/variants or you just pick every one available?

[Fred Green]

Greetings All,

Valter, I pick the Wurttemberg Bravery medals up because they are cheap and out there. I have not had the time to set down and really study them.

I really need a few more Long service awards. I would like to pick up the Spanges in First class and also a 25 year medal.Was there also one for 20-21 years?

Fred

[Alan]

Greetings All,

Here is my meager collection from the last 2 years. I specifically like Wurttemberg awards. Service medals are my main focus with combat and bravery awards next. Thanks.

Fred

Nice one Fred, thanks for sharing.

Wouldn't mind adding a Gold Militär-Verdienst-Medaille (Military Merit Medal) to fill the gap.

Could you post some close up pics of yours?

[Fred Green]

Greetings All,

Alan, I believe that mine is the gold plated one not a solid gold one. I also think that it is a Postwar, Weimar era piece. I will post some photos in a bit.

Fred

[Alan]

Here's an update and a couple of new questions.

[Alan]

On the Anhalt 15 year which would be the correct colour green ribbon from the two pictured?

Would the ribbon for the SWE Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen "Dem Verdienste1914" be correct for the SWE 12 year?