SS 25 Year Award

[The Red Baron]

Thoughts on this medal? http://www.craiggottlieb.com/engine/....asp?Item=6842

I don't own a 25 but the have the 12, and the finish looks a bit odd, by finish I mean the texture of the metal's surface. THoughts?

[placentinha]

I am not keen about the ribbon but this medal has a chance to be an original one IMO.

[J C Gray]

I have yet to be totally convinced as to the originality of these 'Criss-Cross' stippled SS awards. They are incredibly well manufactured and apart from the texture, which bears absolutely no resemblance to any other SS-DA, everything else is very close. I personally have not had the chance to examine one of these up close, but maybe Antonio can shed more light on the subject. I have yet to see one of these awards, either 12 or 25 year with an original ribbon and this one is no exception. The description claims that the "Ribbon features the large-SS rune design (They also came with small SS runes)."...this may be true, but the original large embroidered Sigrunen looked nothing like the ones on this ribbon. Also, all that crap about the Kampfzeit period counting as double service time is pure collector myth.

[Reichskanzler]

Looks good to me..

[blitzkrieg gsd]

Can't give a thumbs up or down on this one with what I see in the pics. I'm hoping its a good one just because you never see them. Now I am leaning against the ribbon being a good one I just don't like the looks. The worst part is the price of the piece it's way overboard in my book. Maybe I'm wrong and they are so hard to come buy its worth it if that's what you want. Maybe I'm missing something about it or have no idea on there value. No do you guys think about the price is it in the rite ballpark anyway?

[Antonio Scapini]

I have one of these, and this is the second I see of this type since years.
I'm quite sure they are originals for a great number of evidences. I write 3 of them, IMO the most important:

1) they are die struck pieces,
2) the oiginal die was completely hand made and hand engraved,
3) each medal is hand finished.

All these points perfectly matches with the othes type of 12-25 SS medals we know. Pebbling on the medal is (like JC pointed out) neater when compared to the other type, but it is IMO not red flag, considering that it was hand engraved on the die.
Tool signs on thickness are clear enough to let us understand which was the trimming process; the other tool signs presents on the medal are from micro milling cutter (exactly the same used on 12 years SS medals and on other badges-awards).
For some reasons I tend to believe (just my personal speculation) they come from Juncker.

[The Red Baron]

Want to note that this piece is now sold! Congrats to the new owner, I assume it completes a long awaited set....

[ajs]

Want to note that this piece is now sold! Congrats to the new owner, I assume it completes a long awaited set....

That set must be a beautiful sight

[Stangell]

..// Also, all that crap about the Kampfzeit period counting as double service time is pure collector myth.

Ok cool, but who were then eligible for this award? The SS was founded in 1923 and according to my math skills it is only 22 years until 1945...

[TonyS]

I would rather have one like Steve T owns.

That one on Gottliebs site would make me nervous.

Steve T's example.

[TonyS]

Is this the type with the different runes on the ribbon?

[J C Gray]

Ok cool, but who were then eligible for this award? The SS was founded in 1923 and according to my math skills it is only 22 years until 1945...

There was a ceccession of any potentional awarding of both the 25 & 12 year medals in 1940, so that actually leaves only 17 years which could be accredited towards SS service time. Also contrary to what is claimed on the listing in question, the regulations specifically state that (along with the Lanspolizei and "early approved" Freiwilligen-Verbanden") actual service time in the "Wehrmacht" can be used to calculate the SS service time...nowhere does it mention "Alten Heer" or "Reichsheer". It then goes on to specifically state that there will be no double counting of service time.
So, in answer to your question nobody was eligible for this award.

PS. Don't just take my word for it...it's all in the Reichsgesetzblatt for anyone to see.

[J C Gray]

That one on Gottliebs site would make me nervous.

Me Too, especially at that price and especially since I have only seen that style of stippling on reproductions.

[J C Gray]

[QUOTE=TonyS;6742706]Is this the type with the different runes on the ribbon?
QUOTE]

I remember this one from a few years ago Tony...out of all the so called 'variant' embroidered SS ribbons, yours are undoubtedly the best executed that I have seen, but in my opinion, they are still too elongated to either look in proportion to the ribbon or fit on the blech which was intended to be used in the mounting process.
I am forever being told that these non standard ribbons were "private purchase" or embroidered by the owners granny or such, but, if this award was never bestowed, then why would anyone during the TR period have the need to fabricate a ribbon for mounting?

I don't have access to my files at the moment, but I have posted pics of the different types of embroidery on various occasions somewhere on the forum.

[J C Gray]

Here is a similar one that has been on Charlie Snyder's site for about 10 years.
Note the same mis-shapen right hand Rune to the odverse of the medal.
BTW. this one looks as if it has been sprayed with gold paint for some reason...it probably started life as a 12 year before being "upgraded" in order to push for the "POR" price tag.