Long Service Decoration, Type IV, III Class Medal for IX Years (in blackened iron)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 02.WUT.0139.107.01.001

Estimated market value:

$10 USD

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Estimated market value:

$10 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Germany
  • Makers
    Wilhelm Mayer & Franz Wilhelm, Stuttgart
  • Composition
    Blackened Iron
  • Inscription
    Rev: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE BEI DER FAHNE IX
  • Size
    32mm

History


The Long Service Decoration was instituted on September 9, 1833 by King Wilhelm I. It was conferred upon officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted men who rendered long and faithful service. The award was established in two grades, I Class and II Class. The I Class award was conferred upon officers, while the II Class was conferred upon non-commissioned officers and enlisted ranks.

In order to receive the award, an officer had to have actively served for 25 years and was only allowed a one year period of absence. Service time spent as a non-commissioned officer or soldier could be counted in the total time. Time spent as a cadet, in officer training, or as a member of a foreign army could not be counted. non-commissioned officers and enlisted ranks had to have actively served for 20 years of service and were also only allowed to have a one year period of absence. Service rendered during a war counted for twice the time.

On May 27, 1839, the decoration statutes were changed. The new statutes made it possible for non-combat military personnel, such as members of the ministry of war, to also receive the decoration. In addition, the following changes were enacted: time spent on field campaign would be counted twice, recipients of the II Class Cross were granted an allowance, and unexcused absences of less than six months did not disqualify an individual from receiving the decoration.

.In 1850, the decoration statutes were changed again. Non-commissioned officers became eligible to receive the II Class Cross after 18 years of service and the I Class Cross after 30 years of service.

In 1850, a set of clasps for 6, 12, 18, and 30 years of service were introduced as a subdivision of the Long Service Decoration. These clasps, first issued in April 1851, were reserved for non-commissioned officers and enlisted ranks who were deserving of an award, but were not eligible to receive the I or II Class Cross due to some sort of delinquency. The clasps were metal cut-out frames that attached to a ribbon and featured the number of service years in Roman numerals. Prior to the introduction of the clasps, sleeve chevrons were used to denote service years. The class were worn on the left breast of a service tunic.

In 1864, the reverse of the I Class Class Cross was redesigned to feature two crossed swords surrounded by the inscription "FÜR TREUE DIENSTE".

On March 16, 1874, King Karl of Württemberg introduced a new II Class Cross for non-commissioned officers and enlisted ranks. The cross was issued for 21 years of loyal service. It was modelled after the Prussian Long Service Award. At the same time, the service clasps were also redesigned and introduced in new denominations. The clasps were now reserved for non-commissioned officers and were awarded for 15 and 9 years of service.

The new clasps feature the initials of King Karl on the obverse, rather than the service years in Roman numerals. The Gold Bar for 15 years features a gilded border, while the Silver Bar for 9 years features a silver-coloured border.

After King Wilhelm II ascended the throne in 1891, he continued to award the decoration. The award criteria was altered so that the I Class Cross could be conferred upon officers, military officials, and personnel with the rank of Sergeant and below for 25 years of loyal service. The II Class Cross was conferred upon military officials and personnel with the rank of Sergeant and below for 21 years of service.

At the same time, the Gold Bar for 15 Years and the Silver Bar for 12 Years were redesigned to feature the initials of King Wilhelm II.

On July 19, 1913, three new service awards were designed and formally introduced under King Wilhelm II.

The III Class Medal was awarded for 9 years of service. The obverse of the medal features a crown surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse features the inscription "FÜR TREUE DIENSTE BEI DER FAHNE" and the number of service years underneath in Roman numerals.

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