1870-71 Franco - Prussian Medal

[PaulR]

Is yours the silver or gold version? Silver is noncombatant and gold is combatant.

[Brian L.]

Is yours the silver or gold version? Silver is noncombatant and gold is combatant.

To be precise, it's steel and bronze, not silver and gold.

[PaulR]

To be precise, it's steel and bronze, not silver and gold.

Understood. Misnomer on my part. Although, my example seems to be made from silver. Check out the oxidation.... weird.

[fsee]

Silver

The one I am trying to obtain is the steel or silver (German silver?). Then, I'll be on a quest for a nice looking ribbon for my 1870-71 medal.

Thanks for giving me a picture of what the ribbon and medal should look like.

[streptile]

The one I am trying to obtain is the steel or silver (German silver?). Then, I'll be on a quest for a nice looking ribbon for my 1870-71 medal.

Thanks for giving me a picture of what the ribbon and medal should look like.

Hi fsee,

Here is an AEZ with the correct ribbon:

115638-2.jpg

The AEZ is silver. Real silver. The good news is that if you don't get the one from the eBay buyer, you can find another very easily, and they are affordable.

The 1870 KDM (Kriegsdenkmünze or War Rememberance Medal) that you own belongs on this ribbon:

141915.jpg

[tompress]

Hi,

a short resume

awarded originals for combatants were made of bronze only, and have the inscription "AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ" on the rim. About 1,1 million were awarded.

Period replacements (for lost pieces or medal bars) were made of different metals, mainly of brass (often also gilded) and have no edge inscription.

Non-combatant version was produced of steel (is also magnetic), has not edge inscription. The other difference is text "Für Pflichttreue im Kriege" instedad of "Dem siegreichen Heere" under the "W" initial. About 415.000 were awarded. Replacements made out of other metals exist, too.

As the collegues mentioned before, ribbons are same as later used for the Hindenburg Cross (two different ribbons: for combatants and non-combatants with same colors, but in different sequence)

greetings
Tomasz

[streptile]

Great summary Tomasz

The other difference is text "Für Pflichttreue im Kriege" instedad of "Dem siegreichen Heere" under the "W" initial.

One further often overlooked difference is that the Iron Cross on the combatant medal is encircled by a laurel wreath. The noncombatant medal shows a wreath of oakleaves.