Rettungsmedaille für Rettung aus Gefahr medal

[Steve 5]

Gentlemen, a recent acquisition a 1957 "Rettungsmedaille für Rettung aus Gefahr" or Lifesaving medal....originally a Prussian award, that continued through Imperial, Weimar, Third Reich and on into the present day. Most of the German states issued their own medals. First awarded 1833-1918 in Imperial form then 1926-37 with eagle/no swastika then 1937-1945 with swastika, becoming a Reich issue award replacing all States versions, in the TR period the eagle would of had a swastika on its chest, in order to to comply with 1957 regulations the swastika was removed and the medal became as I show here.........
There were two types of this award, non portable table medal and a medal/ribbon for wearing..... Both were awarded for saving a life at the risk of one's own life. The difference was that the wearable medal required a most particularly severe risk to the rescuer's life, (ganz besonders erhebliche eigene Lebensgefahr) whereas the non-wearable commemorative medal required a "simple" severe risk (erhebliche Lebensgefahr).
The ribboned award I show is quite puny ! weighing in at 8 grams and just under an inch across ! (25mm) when I opened the packet I thought I had been diddled and that the seller had sold me a miniature, until I did my research ! and found one of Nigel's on a medal bar........ DOH !
I show the medal with a 57er EK I for size comparison......
Prost ! Steve.

[Steve 5]

more...............
Prost ! Steve.

[Steve 5]

size comparison.................
Prost ! Steve.

[Nigel N]

Super medal Steve! I was glad to hear someone here got it, a really hard earned award, and highly respected too!!
These don't turn up too often, but they are out there, and don't get the respect they deserve in the 57 world IMO!!
A fine piece by S&L, can't see the "800" mark, and theres maybe a hint of tombak peeking through? So I guess its the non silver version, but still looks to be an earlier version, with a good finish and nice details!!
I often wonder why S&L chose this style of eagle to put on their 57 version? It hasn't got the mean and menacing look of the Deumer, or the other "unknown maker" type? Still, doesn't detract from a good overall design!!
Many people don't realise just how small these lifesaving medals are, they are the smallest of the 57ers, but it still outranks its bigger brothers!!!
One of my favourite medals!!!!!!!!!!!
Great catch Steve!!!!!!!!!!!
-Nigel

[Tom B]

Very nice Steve ! Tom

[Steve 5]

A fine piece by S&L, can't see the "800" mark, and theres maybe a hint of tombak peeking through? So I guess its the non silver version, but still looks to be an earlier version, with a good finish and nice details!! -Nigel

Correct Nigel ! Tombak based medal...................I guess I will have to wait a few more years for a Silver one !
Prost ! steve.

[torstenbel]

what would be the main difference between the 1933 to 1937 version and the 1957 version?

[speedytop]

Hi Torsten,

there was no "1933 to 1937 version".

The new "Drittes Reich" version, with the swastika on the chest, had been handed out since mid 1934.

The law is primarily from 1933, but a new medal doesn't exist at this time.
In the transitional period 1933 - 1934 the old decorations of the "Länder" (Preußen, Hessen etc.) could be handed out. In 1937 there was only a change of the law from 1933.

On the 1957 version the swastika had been eliminated.

It was a problem in 1956/1957, to fathom the regulations in the time period 1933 - 1937. The German ministy of the interior created a manufacturing specification, but the Rettungsmedaille had not been added in the "Beilage zum Bundesanzeiger Nr. 41 vom 28. Februar 1958", where the 57er versions had been published with pictures (it was like the medal of the Red Cross, instituted in 1937; I think, they forgot it).

Uwe

[torstenbel]

Danke Uwe I thought there was a 1933 to 1937 of the same design but without the swastika? In that case, I just got a 1957 version of the medal