Service medal KM vs. Wehrmacht

[JustinG]

Greetings,
I am wondering about the service medal for the KM and the Wehrmacht and how to tell them apart.
Is the KM version golden and the Wehrmacht silver ; is this just the difference for the officers/enlisted?
Thanks for the insight and help. Regards,
JustinG


I realize that this has the LW eagle on it.

[Woolgar]

Hi Justin, I believe they are exactly the same, the silver is for 4 years service and the gold for 8 years

Cheers

Nick

[Gary B]

Dear Justin,

Both Heer and Kriegsmarine LS medals are identical. If the medal is single mounted or mounted in a group you might be able to ascertain which branch it was for by the color of the backing material cloth used on the bar, but this is no guarantee (example a blue backing could be for Kriegsmarine). Additionally, sometimes mounted medal bars come with a makers label - I have seen some with tailor shops located in a port city which would indicate high probability of the medal being a Kriegsmarine one.

Hope this helps.

Gary B

[Tom Yanacek]

Hi Justin, I believe they are exactly the same, the silver is for 4 years service and the gold for 8 years

Cheers

Nick

The gold round medal is for 12 years.

[Woolgar]

The gold round medal is for 12 years.

oops I meant 12 years I think I was in SS mode

Nick

[JustinG]

Good to know! Thanks,
JustinG