Saxon Wartime Clasps For Merit

[Bobby lee]

In 1916, Saxony established a spange or clasp to reflect special merit in wartime for those already holding the Friedrich August Medal. A silver clasp for the silver medal and a bronze clasp for the bronze medal. Here is a pic of the clasp for the Silver Fred.-August Medal.

[Bobby lee]

The clasp for men was rectangular with "Weltkrieg 1914-16".

[Bobby lee]

A seperate clasp was established for women which could be worn on the Fred.-August medal (Peace time ot non-combat ribbon) and the Carola Medal for meritorious service. Here is an example in Silver.

[Bobby lee]

Here is another example of a clasp for the Carola Medal in bronze for women.

[Bobby lee]

Hessenthal and Schreiber describe these clasps as being awarded from 1916 through 1918. However, other documentation describes a "Weltkrieg 1914-18" clasp which was begun in 1918 and would be quite scarcer than the other bars. Nimmergut list the 1914-18 clasps in his books. Here is an example of the 1914-18 bar in bronze for the Fred.-August Medal on the War Ribbon.

[Bobby lee]

Close up of the clasp.

[Bobby lee]

Here is an example of 1914-16 clasp on a feldspange recently sold on ebay.

[Bobby lee]

Now here is a cutie. I have a feldspange with a clasp for women on the Fred.-August Medal on Peace or non-combat ribbon which also includes an Iron Cross award (combat ribbon). Since other threads have discussed the rarity of a female being awarded an Iron Cross, this seems to represent a pretty scarce award group. Comments?

[Brian R]

WOW!!! I have never seen the clasp for women.

Here's my feldspange with 1914-1916 bar...

[Chip M]

Spange

Bobby lee,

Thanks for the information and the pictures. Very thorough. Excellent information, especially for those like me, who don't specialize in medals and bars.

Chip

[Bobby lee]

Hi Brian, Very nice example of the clasp on your feldspange. Thanks for sharing.